Jasperites work through mental health struggles amid anniversary of destructive fire – CBC
Supports in place for first responders and residents
Jul 24, 2025
The natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains has been like medicine for Melody Gaboury Scott.
The Jasper woman said being outside in nature has helped her process last year’s devastating wildfire.
Mental health is top of mind for many residents, officials and organizations, as the community marks the one-year anniversary of a wildfire that destroyed roughly one-third of the townsite’s buildings and forced the evacuation of approximately 25,000 residents and tourists.
“The first time we came back, I was vibrating inside, shaking,” she said.
“It was terrible. That’s all I could say, ‘This is terrible.'”
