Jasper residents return home weeks after wildfire ripped through town

It will be an emotional day for many as Jasper residents return to the townsite for the first time since a wildfire tore through the Alberta mountain town last month.

It will be an emotional day for many as Jasper residents return to the townsite for the first time since a wildfire tore through the Alberta mountain town last month.

Jasper National Park was evacuated on July 22, two days before the wildfire entered the townsite.

Officials have estimated about a third of the town’s buildings were destroyed or damaged by fire. Critical infrastructure like the water treatment plant was saved.

While bus tours have been taking some residents into the town to assess the damage, Friday is the first time people will be allowed in on their own to see first hand what their properties look like.

Not all residents will be able to stay overnight as utilities have not been hooked up to the entire townsite.

Officials have warned the re-entry could bring up a number of emotions for residents, adding that the pictures seen so far from inside the town likely won’t prepare them for what they are going to see first hand. They also said the smell of smoke in the town may be overwhelming.

Jasper National Park said residents should watch out for wildlife that has moved into town, including bears looking for food.

Residents can begin to enter Jasper at about 7 a.m. when Highway 16 opens for the day. People are asked to be patient as there may be long waits at the gate.