10.69°C Vancouver

Aug 16, 2024 5:30 PM - The Canadian Press

Residents set to enter their homes for the first time in fire-ravaged Jasper townsite

Share On
residents-set-to-enter-their-homes-for-the-first-time-in-fire-ravaged-jasper-townsite
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.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

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 visitors, were forced out on the night of July 22.

A massive wildfire entered the community about two days later and destroyed a third of its structures.

Some residents have seen their homes on bus tours since then but they were not allowed to get out to enter their homes.

Latest news

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada Allocates Nearly $30 Billion Over 10 Years to Tackle Homelessness

The Canadian government has allocated nearly $30 billion in Budget 2026 to tackle homelessness across the country over the next 10 years. Under the plan, the government will invest $11.2 billion over the next four years, followed by another $17.8 billion over the subsequent six years, to help people overcome homelessness. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne described the initiative as one of the government's key policy priorities. Champagne said the funding aims to provide permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, build community-based mental health and addiction treatm
missing-hunter-found-dead-in-b-c-s-merritt-area
BCNov 06, 2026

Missing Hunter Found Dead in B.C.'s Merritt Area

The body of a hunter who had been missing for several days has been found in the Merritt area of British Columbia. According to police, 57-year-old Klaus Farman Miles had gone hunting in the Douglas Lake area over the weekend but failed to return. A missing person report was filed on Monday morning after he could not be reached. Miles was last in contact with someone on Saturday. His van was later found abandoned near Glimpse Lake, prompting police and search-and-rescue teams to launch a search operation. Ground search teams and canine units were involved in the search. His body was recovered
poilievre-faces-third-major-staff-departure-as-deputy-chief-of-staff-resigns
BCNov 06, 2026

Poilievre Faces Third Major Staff Departure as Deputy Chief of Staff Resigns

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has suffered another major political setback, with his deputy chief of staff, Aaron Wudrick, resigning from his position. This marks the third significant departure from Poilievre’s team within a year. In a letter sent to party members and colleagues, Wudrick said he was leaving politics to pursue opportunities in the private sector and spend more time with his family. His resignation will take effect on November 27. Wudrick had been part of Poilievre’s team for the past two and a half years, initially serving as director of policy before becoming deput
pedestrian-critically-injured-after-pickup-truck-collision-in-prince-george
BCNov 06, 2026

Pedestrian Critically Injured After Pickup Truck Collision in Prince George

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck in Prince George on Thursday morning. The victim remains in hospital. According to police, the incident occurred at around 9 a.m. near Domano Boulevard and McGill Crescent. The 54-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision. A 48-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene. No names have been released so far. This is the second serious pedestrian-related incident in Prince George this week. Earlier, on Monday at around 4:30 a.
powerful-storm-brings-heavy-rain-to-b-c-yellow-alerts-issued-for-metro-vancouver
BCNov 06, 2026

Powerful Storm Brings Heavy Rain to B.C., Yellow Alerts Issued for Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada has issued yellow-level weather alerts for several parts of Metro Vancouver as a powerful storm brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to British Columbia’s coastal region. According to the weather agency, up to 80 millimetres of rain could fall in elevated areas of the North Shore and near the southern Howe Sound. Areas in northeastern Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam, could receive around 50 millimetres of rainfall by the evening. The agency says the rain is expected to gradually ease overnight. However, several more storm systems could move into the region early nex

Related News