As Jasper, Alta., tries to rebuild from wildfire, residents scramble to find winter housing

A glittering orange cat, a glaring pumpkin and bright yellow flowers sit on the pavement next to Sviatoslav Rud's camper. 

The Ukrainian says his wife is trying to make their temporary home cheery and seasonal. The trailer sits on the street in front of their rental property, mere meters from the devastation of this summer's wildfire in Jasper, Alta.

"As you can see, it was pretty close," said Rud, pointing to his neighbours' property. Crumbling foundation sits behind blue construction fences, complete with signs warning of asbestos dangers.

After a wildfire destroyed a third of Jasper, different levels of government have stepped in to house some residents who can get the town up and running. But that means other residents who want to be in town for work, for the rebuild and for their community have to find their own place to stay.

For some, mobile homes have been the solution. Campers and trailers are scattered on Jasper's streets – some by standing structures, others in front of incinerated homes. Normally, a bylaw prohibits parking trailers on the street, but the town waived it following the fire. That exemption runs out Oct. 15.

Rud, who works at CN Rail, doesn't know if they'll be back in the house by then. He's still waiting on repairs before it's safe to move in.

"We're going to write [to the town] that we're still here," he said.

"I hope we're going to come back to our house at the end of October because they're already broadcasting that there should be snow with rain next week."

The municipality and the province are housing 60 essential workers in hotels. An additional 42 essential workers found their own housing.

In this case "essential" includes those who provide "critical services that keep the community running, such as public safety, healthcare, education, government services and utilities," according to the town's website. 

"I feel like what I do in town isn't important," said Denise Mellett, who's lived in Jasper for 14 years. Her partner, Chuck Cantlie, has lived here for 40 years.

Mellett and Cantlie lost their home in the fire. Cantley works in the tourism industry and Mellett works for a real estate company.

"I can understand the thought process of why they need certain people in town right now, but I also feel that I'm an integral part of this community."

The couple says they want to stay in Jasper to help with the rebuild and to keep a sense of community going. As volunteers, for example, they hope to put on this year's annual Jasper Christmas Day dinner.