Parks Canada is asking the public to help support the Jasper wildfire response by not doing things that divert resources away.
As Highway 16 reopens Friday (Aug. 9), the public is being told not to stop within Jasper National Park.
Alberta RCMP confirmed with the Fitzhugh that no unauthorized entries to the townsite have been reported and that RCMP maintain a constant presence there.
This means not stopping for wildlife viewing, photos or sightseeing.
“Please drive with care and obey speed limits,” Parks Canada stated in an update. “There are many crews operating on Highway 16 and emergency response services are limited.”
No fuel or food services are available inside the national park.
Motorists are advised to refuel in Hinton (westbound) or Mount Robson, B.C. (eastbound) and stock up on food and water before travelling.
Drones are not permitted since they result in the grounding of helicopters used in wildfire suppression or emergencies.
Parks Canada warned there were serious safety and legal implications for using drones in a wildfire zone.
Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper remain closed and under evacuation order.
Highway 16 is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily but may be closed for fire management operations or roadside fire activity on short notice.
Motorists are asked to check 511 Alberta before departing.
Preparing for re-entry, bus tours ongoing
Mike Ellis, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, reported during a Friday (Aug. 9) wildfire update that while Jasper remains under an evacuation order, crews were making progress on mitigating hazards in the townsite and preparing for re-entry.
“It is still too early to say the wildfire is no longer a danger to the community. However, confidence is growing,” Ellis said.
“The Alberta Emergency Management Agency is focused on working with the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada to support the re-entry planning. The focus right now is on [restoring] critical services so everything is ready to support the return of the broader population.”
Ellis noted that emergency services have already been restored, and work was progressing to bring back other critical services such as electricity, water, gas, telecommunications and health care.
He added that work was ongoing to identify and remove fallen trees and other debris in and around the townsite.
“It’s a standard for this kind of work to take time, and we appreciate the patience of everyone who has been displaced,” Ellis said.
The Municipality of Jasper has a webpage that provides an overview of all the work that needs to be done before residents can return home.
Bus tours of the Jasper townsite are ongoing with over 130 residents participating over the last four days.
There were two tours on Friday (Aug. 9) – one from Hinton and another from Valemount, B.C.
“We're also in the process of scheduling other tours,” Ellis said. “As we understand, these tours are a critical component of healing and, of course, the recovery process.”
Jasper residents can still register for tours online at alberta.ca/emergency
