Jasper wildfires: Tearful official says wildfire ‘out of control’ after ravaging Canadian resort

In a statement earlier today, Jasper’s mayor Richard Ireland spoke candidly about the devastation suffered in his town as a result of the wildfires.

He says he is filled with “profound sorrow” as he and the community start to come to terms with the loss, which he says is “beyond description and comprehension”.

“This experience is tremendously traumatic for each of us and for the community,” he adds.

In a tearful interview with CBC News yesterday, he called the fire his community’s “worst nightmare”.

At the time, he said he received word of multiple structures that had burned down in his community.

“It appears that the damage will be extensive,” he said. “Like all residents, I feel devastated, shattered and absolutely helpless in the face of nature, which is just so powerful.”