JASPER, ALBERTA, CANADA — Residents of the Rocky Mountain tourist town of Jasper have begun returning to their homes more than three weeks after a wildfire forced them out and torched one-third of all town buildings.
Cars, trucks and recreational vehicles were winding their way along the highway through Jasper National Park to the spot where the road branches off into the town.
At that point, Mounties were stopping vehicles and only those who live in the community were being allowed to return. Park and town officials say they want to give residents time and privacy to assess the damage to their homes and businesses before visitors return, and no time has been set for full access to the community.
The return comes 25 days after wildfires cut road access and forced the town’s 5,000 residents, along with about 20,000 park visitors, to flee west into B.C. on the night of July 22 in darkness, soot and smoke haze. Two days later, the fire overwhelmed crews and hit the town, destroying 358 buildings, most of them businesses and homes, leaving the remaining two-thirds of the town either untouched or damaged by smoke, soot and water.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Residents in Jasper, Alta., begin returning to homes following devastating wildfireJASPER, ALBERTA, CANADA — Residents of the Rocky Mountain tourist town of Jasper have begun returning to their homes more than three weeks after a wildfire forced them out and torched one-third of all town buildings.
Read more »
Residents in Jasper, Alta., begin returning to homes following devastating wildfireJASPER, ALBERTA, CANADA — Residents of the Rocky Mountain tourist town of Jasper have begun returning to their homes more than three weeks after a wildfire forced them out and torched one-third of all town buildings.
Read more »
Alberta wildfire: Jasper residents anxious on the eve of their returnMore than three weeks after a wildfire forced them to flee, Jasperites will soon be able to return to their beloved town. But there is anxiety among the few who found refuge in the neighbouring town of Hinton, about 45 minutes east of Jasper.
Read more »
Alberta opens registration portal for Jasper residents to tour wildfire damaged townsiteCrews are installing fencing around structures that were destroyed or damaged last week when fire tore through the town of Jasper.
Read more »
Alberta opens registration portal for Jasper residents to tour wildfire damaged townsiteCrews are installing fencing around structures that were destroyed or damaged last week when fire tore through the town of Jasper.
Read more »
Ottawa and Alberta match Red Cross fire donations as Jasper residents view damage mapEDMONTON — As residents of Jasper learn more details about wildfire damage to their evacuated town, the Alberta and federal governments say they'll match donations to the Canadian Red Cross for wildfire relief in the province.
Read more »