The people of Jasper are making progress on getting back to normal after being allowed back to their town, cleaning their homes, re-uniting with neighbours and seeking insurance information. Friday was the first day residents were allowed back after a wildfire forced the evacuation of the entire community, which eventually lost close to one third of its structures in the blaze. Over the weekend, Parks Canada announced the status of the Jasper Wildfire Complex had changed from out-of-control to being held, and an evacuation alert that advised returning residents to be ready to flee again on an

Some residents of the Municipality of Jasper are set to return to the town today after a massive wildfire forced them out more than three weeks ago. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland has said only residents will be allowed to enter the town and other visitors will be directed to stay on the highway and drive on by. The plan had been for a full reopening, but Ireland said this week plans changed after some residents said they were concerned about visitors intruding on their privacy as they learn first-hand the state of their homes and businesses. The town's 5,000 residents, along with 20,000 more vi

The town of Jasper says early numbers indicate last month’s wildfires destroyed $283 million worth of property. The town also reports that while 358 structures were destroyed, mostly businesses and homes, the total number of housing units lost is about 800. The figures were delivered to councillors by chief administrative officer Bill Given at a virtual meeting today. Given says the numbers get even more daunting as the town moves forward with rebuilding because the lost structures equate to a $2.2-million loss in annual property tax revenue. Councillors, meanwhile, approved motions to suspe

The mayor of Banff, Alta., says the town plans to find ways to reduce vehicle traffic after residents voted in favour of removing a pedestrian zone in the downtown. Corrie DiManno says the vote to reopen Banff Avenue year-round doesn't change the need for more public transportation into the popular tourist destination west of Calgary. The town has reported there were 1,328 votes cast against council's decision to have the pedestrian zone every year from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving long weekend. It says 1,194 residents voted in favour of the zone. DiManno says the pedestrian area cause

Details about when and how evacuated residents of Jasper will be allowed to return to their homes nearly three weeks after a wildfire forced them to flee will be announced today. Parks Canada says Unified Incident Command will hold a virtual media briefing this morning to provide information on the phased re-entry into the town of Jasper. On Saturday, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said the date when people will be permitted back into the town would come Monday. Ireland said the dedicated work of the fire incident management team meant plans to re-enter the town safely were moving faster than ex

Calgary's mayor says the city is considering ways to strengthen a key water main for the long term, including replacing it altogether. Jyoti Gondek says in the spring the city could add a liner or a sleeve to the pipe to strengthen it, or dig alongside it and built an entirely new one. The pipe in northwest Calgary ruptured in early June, drenching a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway and nearby parkland. The break forced Calgarians to undertake a series of water conservation measures, from not watering lawns to taking shorter showers. The restrictions had been gradually easing when, earlier

One person died and dozens were injured after a large tent collapsed at a Buddhist monastery northwest of Edmonton during powerful winds. RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said there were as many as 100 people in and around the tent at the Westlock Meditation Centre near Busby, Alta., on Wednesday afternoon. "Ultimately, we hope to determine exactly what circumstances may have led to this," he said Thursday. "We do know, though, that extreme winds were a major contributing factor." Savinkoff said one person died, several were seriously injured and there were about 50 minor injuries ranging from bumps a

Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park. The park posted a statement on X late Thursday night saying cooler temperatures and up to 15 millimetres of rain since midnight had led to minimal fire activity. The park says due to the rainfall, fire behaviour is likely to calm over the next 72 hours. While more rain is expected Friday, temperatures are supposed to return to the mid 20s by Saturday, which the park says will lead to an increase in fire activity. The townsite and park have been besieged by wildfires, with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith estimating Thursday a t

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to tour the resort town of Jasper to see firsthand the devastation caused by wildfires. Smith is also expected to give an update on firefighting efforts. Cool wet weather overnight has helped fire crews, but the weekend forecast is for the heat to return. Wildfires menacing the town flared up into towering walls of flame Wednesday night, breaching defences and destroying homes and businesses. Critical infrastructure, including schools and the hospital, remain intact. About 25,000 people had to flee Jasper National Park ahead of the fires Monday, including