By Bruno Venditti, Communications Specialist, Canadian Red Cross
When wildfires forced the evacuation of thousands of people from Jasper in July 2024, many residents left not knowing when they would return, or what would be waiting for them when they did.
Since then, recovery has continued in many forms, including the need for safe, temporary places for people to call home while they navigate what comes next, and reconstruction is under way.
On behalf of Parks Canada and in collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, the Canadian Red Cross is providing interim housing support to Jasper residents living in temporary housing units.
This includes welcoming tenants on-site, and providing them with ongoing support and services at eight housing sites: seven within the Town of Jasper, and one at Marmot Meadows, a site in Jasper National Park. Together, the sites provide interim housing for more than 760 people (as of June 2026).
Photo: Stéphanie Picard / Canadian Red Cross
Behind the logistics of move-ins, maintenance requests, leases, and daily problem-solving are people who also know what it means to care about Jasper’s recovery.
A unique workplace in the mountains
For Cameron Jackson, who manages the Jasper interim housing sites, joining the program was a way to support a town he already knew well.
Before joining the Red Cross, Cameron had worked for the local ski resort and was involved in efforts to find accommodation after the wildfire. When the Red Cross opportunity came up, it offered a chance to support housing on a broader scale.
“This opportunity came up with the Canadian Red Cross to be involved in a much larger aspect of it,” said Cameron.
A regular day for Cameron and the team can include moving tenants in and out, helping with leases, coordinating repairs, managing utilities, and responding to day-to-day concerns.
“You have to think longer term,” said Cameron. “We're trying to keep them in here, maintain their living standards, keep them happy, keep them safe.”
Photo: Canadian Red Cross
From left to right: Bradley Macey, Jiachen Xu, Roger Baydock, Lydia Craig, Sabrina Mariani, Taylor Cafley, and Cameron Jackson.
Helping people settle into temporary homes
For Bradley Macey, a representative with the interim housing team, the work is also personal.
Bradley moved to Jasper after coming to Canada in 2023 and was living in staff accommodation when the wildfire happened.
“When the fire hit, I lost my house,” said Bradley. “I lost all my belongings and everything. I was only left with my documents and a change of clothes.”
After returning to Jasper, Bradley saw the Red Cross position as an opportunity to contribute to the community.
“The community after the fire was so supportive,” said Bradley. “I thought it was a good opportunity to not only do something that was in my realm of work, but also do something to help and give back to the community as well.”
Bradley’s work includes sending move-in instructions, tracking housing details with partners, supporting lease renewals, working with vendors to provide services to residents, processing invoices, coordinating purchase requests, and working with finance on rent and damage deposits.
Taking a thoughtful approach
In Jasper’s interim housing, the team has learned to balance practical responsibilities such as maintenance requests with patience, flexibility, and care for people still navigating the impacts of the wildfires.
“There's still that trauma that's left behind from the fires,” said Bradley.
That can mean taking time to listen, encouraging communication, and taking a thoughtful approach to support residents.
Community in close quarters
Interim housing is temporary, but it is also home. Residents live in different types of units, including standalone houses, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and dorm-style accommodations.
Living close together can bring practical challenges, but there are also signs of connection.
At the interim housing sites, families and neighbours have found ways to gather, connect, and build a sense of community in their temporary home.
“Seeing all the kids outside playing, all the families coming together and having barbecues, it is really lovely,” said Bradley.
Photo: Bradley Macey
The setting itself is also unlike most workplaces.
“We're working out of a trailer in one of the Interim Housing sites,” Bradley said. “Walk out this door right now and there's just mountains all around us.”
Even during busy days, he said, stepping outside can offer a moment of calm.
Photo: Bradley Macey
Moving forward together
The interim housing program brings together many partners, including Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper through the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre, the Canadian Red Cross, vendors, contractors, volunteers, and residents themselves.
Bradley said the experience has taught him about resilience and adaptability.
“Every day there's something new,” he said.
Recovery takes time, and interim housing is one part of that journey. In Jasper, it is also a reminder that recovery is carried forward through daily acts of coordination, patience, problem-solving, and care.
The Canadian Red Cross continues to work closely with provincial and municipal governments and Indigenous leadership to support individuals, families and communities impacted by the 2024 Alberta Wildfires.
To learn more about how the Canadian Red Cross is supporting, visit the Alberta Wildfires 2024 webpage.
