Jasper resident tours of wildfire destruction to begin on Sunday

Jasper residents who lost their home or business to a wildfire that ate into the mountain town on July 24 will have the chance to see the damage in person for the first time starting Sunday.

Jasper residents who lost their home or business to a wildfire that ate into the mountain town on July 24 will have the chance to see the damage in person for the first time starting Sunday.

Bus tours are scheduled to leave from Edmonton and Hinton on Sunday.

Until now, only emergency and government officials have seen the destruction in person.

"The feedback we were getting (was) there was a desire from residents," Joe Zatylny, deputy managing director of Alberta Emergency Management Agency, said during a news conference on Saturday.

"The government decided to make sure that we did what we could to expedite this."

That Jasperites would be allowed to tour the townsite was confirmed on Friday when online registration opened, however, no dates were given.

Although all Jasper residents were told they could register for a tour, those who lost property will be given first access.