An online portal has been launched by the Alberta government for Jasper residents to register for a bus tour of the townsite.
The bus tours will provide Jasperites with an opportunity to visit residential properties lost or damaged by the wildfires.
“We appreciate everyone’s desire to return to Jasper and see the state of their homes and community for themselves,” said Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, in a statement.
“Many partners have worked quickly to get these tours scheduled. Being able to return back home to survey damage is the first step to recovery and rebuilding. That is why Alberta’s government made these tours a top priority for evacuees.”
All residents are invited to register, but priority access will be given to those who have lost their homes.
Once they have registered, they will be contacted with more details.
No specific bus tour dates have been confirmed.
Tours will be coordinated starting from Edmonton, Hinton and Valemount.
With a fluctuating wildfire situation in Jasper National Park, bus tours will be subject to change and will only proceed at the direction of the incident command team in Jasper and as conditions allow.
No one will be allowed to leave the bus while inside the national park for the time being, the province added, to ensure everyone’s safety.
To help people prepare for seeing the disaster site, mental health and social support referral services will be available on-site before the tours.
They will also be available on the buses and afterward.
Unified Command continues to collaborate on a comprehensive re-entry plan, and more information will be released when available.
Those who need help with registration can call 310-4455.
