Premier criticizes report that says Alberta hindered efforts to fight Jasper fire

By Canadian Press on July 18, 2025.

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she is disheartened by a report into last summer’s Jasper wildfire that she says unfairly criticizes and minimizes the contributions of her government.

Smith, in a statement on social media, says the report and media coverage of it are “politically motivated,” but doesn’t elaborate.

The report, based on surveys of firefighters and others, says Smith’s government complicated the response to the fire, which destroyed a third of the Jasper townsite.

It says the province regularly requested information and attempted to make decisions despite not being jurisdictionally responsible, given that it’s a national park.

It adds government interference disrupted the focus of fire leaders and forced them to spend precious time managing inquiries and issues instead of responding to the fire.

Smith says the report overlooks or ignores Alberta’s contributions, such as providing firefighters, equipment and financial resources.