23.2°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

canada-cup-team-canada-finishes-second-after-losing-a-thrilling-final-against-tcc
BCJul 14, 2025

Canada Cup: Team Canada finishes second after losing a thrilling final against TCC

The Triple Crown Colorado team became the champions in the Canada Cup, an international tournament played at Softball City in Surrey. Colorado defeated Team Canada in the final match. Colorado managed to win the game 7-5, but the game was decided when Canada was just one hit away from victory and all the bases were loaded, but the Canadian hitter got out. Colorado was leading 5-0 after the end of the fourth inning in the match, but in the fifth inning, Canada made a strong comeback, and the score reached 6-5. However, after this, the Canadian team could not repeat the momentum of the fifth in
alberta-surpasses-u-s-in-confirmed-measles-cases-with-more-than-1-300
AlbertaJul 14, 2025

Alberta surpasses U.S. in confirmed measles cases with more than 1,300

Alberta has surpassed the United States in confirmed measles cases, after 30 new cases were diagnosed over the weekend. The province has now seen 1,314 cases since the beginning of March. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,288 cases so far this year across 39 states. The outbreak of the highly contagious disease hasn't led to any deaths so far in Alberta. Three people, including two children, have died in the United States. The U.S. has also seen more hospitalizations, with the CDC reporting 162 people have been hospitalized compared to just over 100 Albertans.
BCJul 14, 2025

Forty-five affordable homes protected in Richmond

More Richmond residents can keep their affordable homes with support from the Province and the B.C. Rental Protection Fund. “We’re working on every front to address the housing crisis and rising costs, so people have an affordable home in the community they love,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “When a building changes hands, residents worry whether they will be forced to move or pay much higher rent. By helping non-profits to buy these buildings, we are protecting the people who have lived there for years, close to their families, their jobs and the activ
canadas-mark-carney-government-begins-preparations-for-its-first-federal-budget
CanadaJul 14, 2025

Canada's Mark Carney government begins preparations for its first federal budget

Canada's Mark Carney government has begun preparations for its first federal budget, to be presented in the fall. The government said the budget 2025 will focus on boosting private investment and building the strongest economy in the G7. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has launched pre-budget consultations today. The federal government said Canadians can also participate by visiting the Canada.ca/YourBudget website until August 28, 2025, to share their views on key issues. The government's main focus in the budget will be to eliminate the GST for new homes up to $1 million an
BCJul 14, 2025

BC Highway Patrol looks for witnesses and dash video after Highway 17 collision

A weekend collision between a motorcycle and a SUV in Delta is being investigated by BC Highway Patrol, and police are looking for more witnesses and dash-camera video to determine exactly what happened. On July 12, 2025, at about 11:15 a.m., a black Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a dark green Toyota SUV on Highway #17 and Tsawwassen Drive in Delta. A second SUV, a grey Honda, was damaged by debris from the initial collision. “The minutes leading up to the collision, and the moments before the collision, are crucially important to the investigation,” says Corporal Michael McL

Related News