The highway through Jasper National Park has reopened, but officials say its townsite isn’t ready to welcome back visitors.
Parks Canada says entry checkpoints into the Rocky Mountain tourist town were taken away this morning as Highway 16 reopened for 24-seven travel.
Christine Nadon, the municipality’s incident commander, says the town is only open to residents, business owners, contractors and those coming to support them.
She says RCMP could ask non-residents caught in town to leave, but declined to say if people would be arrested.
Jasperites were welcomed home Friday, about a month after a wildfire forced them out.
Mayor Richard Ireland says re-entry to the fire-ravaged town has caused a range of emotions for residents. He says it was the first time they had the chance to thank first responders for their work over the past month.
Ireland says there were tears of gratitude and other conflicting emotions as residents prepared to confront “their worst nightmare.”
He also says many residents are eager to begin the rebuild.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2024.