EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith demanded Friday the fire-stricken town of Jasper apologize and retract a report criticizing her government for its role in last summer's devastating blaze.

Smith, speaking at an unrelated press conference in Edmonton, also blamed the federal government for failing in the fire response by not asking sooner for provincial help and for not clearing out dead trees that provided fuel for the flames.

“I’m very disappointed that this report politicizes what actually should be a very successful example of unified command,” Smith said.

“This report come as a shot out of the blue. It’s unfair, it’s untrue and I would like them to withdraw it.”

Smith added: “This was a federal fire. It took place in a federal park, and it was a federal Parks Canada respon

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