Alberta providing up to $149M to cover municipal costs after Jasper wildfire

The Alberta government is providing up to $149 million to cover costs for the town of Jasper, Alta., which lost a third of its buildings in July's wildfire.

Residents affected by the fire can't access the funding, but the town can use the money to cover staff overtime, firefighter wages, emergency food and shelter, and other administrative expenses.

The funding can also be used for structural protection costs, and to help with infrastructure damaged as a result of the wildfire response.

"We are committed to providing the necessary support for recovery in Jasper and all Alberta communities affected by wildfire this year," Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis said in a news release Thursday.

"This funding will cover critical areas of need, from uninsurable infrastructure damage to emergency operations costs, ensuring communities can recover swiftly and safely."

Financial assistance through the program is not available to homeowners, residential tenants, small business owners, landlords, agricultural operations, condominium associations and not-for-profit organizations, as fire insurance is considered readily and reasonably available in Alberta, the release said.

Mayor Richard Ireland said Jasper is grateful for the province's support, and the funding will be critical to rebuilding.

"Jasper will surely emerge stronger than ever," Ireland said in Thursday's release.

The money is being provided through Alberta's Disaster Recovery Program, which was also used to support Fort McMurray, Alta., after the 2016 fire, as well flooding in central Alberta last year.

The program is designed to cover 90 per cent of eligible costs after a disaster, while the affected municipality is responsible for the rest.