Jasper is starting the long process of removing contaminated fridges and freezers, with more than 100 appliances picked up on Friday (Aug. 16).
Parks Canada later confirmed Sunday (Aug. 18) that just over 350 appliances have been picked up around town.
Following a lengthy evacuation due to wildfire, many residents have been returning home to find their fridges unfit for human use since they had been sitting without power and food spoiling inside for days if not weeks.
To have these fridges removed, residents are asked to fill out an online form and indicate their address and whether they need help moving their appliances from inside their house.
“The incident management team has set up a waste management process where all those fridges are handled in the same location and being hauled out of town for proper disposal,” said Christine Nadon, incident commander with the Municipality of Jasper, in a Saturday (Aug. 17) update.
“As for replacement fridges, this is something that each of the residents or businesses are going to have to look after themselves, and facilitating deliveries into Jasper is something the int is working on to ensure that those trucks have access and residents can get replacement units.”
The form allows people to select whether they want to dispose of a standing fridge/freezer, a deep freeze, a dishwasher, a washing machine or a stacking washer/dryer.
It also asks for the best access point to remove the appliance, if it fits through the door without modification and if there are any water, electrical or gas connections.
Nadon noted residents would have help getting their fridges out of awkward places such as basements, and they should tape their fridges shut to risk mould exposure.
She reminded them to speak with their insurance adjuster to see if they needed to replace their appliance and if their policy would cover this.
“The general guideline is to not open the fridges, tape them shut and get them removed, and that’s exactly what the service is available for,” she said.
Fridges or freezers should not be left outside on the curb as they could be a bear attractant, and two mother bears with two cubs each have already been spotted roaming in town.
“You must contact the right folks and get your fridge disposed up properly, and do not leave it outside in Jasper,” Nadon said. “It could create issues for the bears and for the humans, obviously.”
Appliance pick-up service will continue for Jasperites, including residents at Lake Edith and outlying commercial accommodations, until Aug. 30.
More details can be found in the re-entry guide online.
