Jasper wildfire: "Not ready to welcome visitors," officials say as evacuee re-entry contin

In the first update since re-entry began for evacuees of Jasper, Alta., last week, Parks Canada, Red Cross and local officials said on Monday that the town is "not ready to welcome visitors" as it prioritizes getting local businesses and residents settled back in following a 33,000-hectare wildfire. In a message to eager tourists, Jasper's Director of Legislative & Protective Services Christine Nadon, said "we appreciate your patience as we work to resume our services and rebuild our community. And, we will let you know when we're ready to accommodate visitors." She also added that "if you do show up in town, you can expect to be intercepted by an RCMP officer." Jasper officially re-opened to locals on Friday, and more than 800 people visited the re-entry support centre at Commemoration Park over the weekend, when the wildfire status was downgraded from out-of-control to being held. Jasper is expected to receive some rain in the coming days, which will further help firefighters access new areas to put out hot spots. Jasper National Park was initially evacuated on July 22 and the fire moved into the town two days later. The blaze destroyed about a third of the town’s buildings. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10704947/jasper-wildfire-updae-august-19-2024/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #JasperWildfire #Alberta