The announcement of the date for evacuees to return home will be made by Jasper’s mayor on Monday.
Jasper’s mayor has announced that wildfire evacuees will receive information on Monday regarding when they can return home.
During an online news conference on Saturday, Richard Ireland stated that the specific timing for the announcement is still being determined, but the date for allowing people back into the town will be disclosed by members of the unified command on Monday.
Last month, approximately 20,000 visitors to Jasper National Park and 5,000 town residents were evacuated due to fires, resulting in the destruction of one-third of the town’s buildings.
Ireland expressed his hope that informing the public about the upcoming announcement would offer some relief to those experiencing high levels of anxiety.
He mentioned that the efficient work of the fire incident management team has expedited plans for a safe re-entry into the town beyond initial expectations.
Furthermore, a Parks Canada official shared during the news conference that while the park’s fire remains uncontrolled, cooler weather and some rain have enabled crews to make significant progress in containing the fire.