Jasper Residents Return Amid Wildfire Aftermath

Jasper residents, evacuated due to wildfires, will return home on Friday, though some emergency services remain limited. The town, known for its scenic national park, saw severe damage with many structures destroyed. Officials caution against immediate reentry due to ongoing hazards and pending property assessments.

Residents forced to evacuate the wildfire-hit western Canadian tourist town of Jasper three weeks ago will be allowed to return home on Friday, local officials said on Monday. Authorities have restored some basic emergency services, including ambulance and police, but there may not be enough resources to accommodate visitors or those whose houses were damaged, officials briefed reporters.

'Whether you still have a home standing or you don't, you can't really count on being able to stay there that night,' said Christine Nadon, an official from the municipality of Jasper. Out-of-control wildfires forced some 25,000 people to evacuate the picturesque tourist town and its surroundings in Canada's Rocky Mountains on July 22.

The town in the middle of Jasper National Park attracts more than two million tourists yearly. Evacuated individuals included visitors and roughly 5,000 residents. Trails, campgrounds, and day-use areas will also remain closed to re-entry, and officials said reopening these areas would take more time due to risks from poor air quality, hazardous trees, and waste requiring containment.

Nadon stated that private property assessments haven't been done yet, and even if a home is standing, there could be significant internal damage. The fires destroyed nearly a third of Jasper's structures before firefighters extinguished the flames, which had burned as high as 100 meters (330 feet).

(With inputs from agencies.)