The re-entry into Jasper on Friday will be for residents only.
That was the message from officials during an update on the re-entry plan on Wednesday afternoon.
“Friday will be a day of deep emotion for residents returning for the first time,” said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland.
“Residents will need the time and space to confront their grief in private.”
Earlier this week, officials said everyone would be able to return to Jasper in a “blanket re-entry” approach and IDs would not be checked ahead of people entering the townsite.
While there was no strict directive for visitors, officials urged them to hold off on coming to Jasper until residents could assess the damage and businesses could get back up and running.
In the days since that announcement, officials said they heard from residents that they want the re-entry process to be for them only.
As such, residents will have to prove they live within the townsite in order to go back into Jasper on Friday morning.
The following re-entry guidelines have been outlined:
Residents and business owners coming from east of Jasper must stop at the east gate and receive a resident re-entry guide, then proceed to the east entrance of town.
Residents and business owners coming from west of Jasper should travel past the west gate and go directly to the east entrance of town to receive their resident re-entry guide.
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People are asked to show their Parks Canada-issued resident parking passes or self-declare at the gate to get their re-entry guide.
RCMP will be stationed at the east entry to check that residents have their re-entry guide.
“Non-residents will be directed to drive through the park on Highway 16 without stopping,” said Jonathan Large, incident commander with Parks Canada.
“Anyone trying to enter the town without a resident re-entry guide will be stopped by the RCMP and directed to return to Highway 16.”
Alberta RCMP Sgt. Grant Kneller said residents will be allowed to bring family or friends with them for support if needed.
“There’s no way we would send somebody in without the supports that they need,” Kneller said.
“The residents is what we are thinking of. If you are a resident and you’re coming with somebody to support you through this you will be let in.”
Anyone entering the townsite must do so through the east entrance. People can exit through the west side only. Highway 16 opens at 7 a.m., which is when people can begin to enter the townsite. The highway closes at 9 p.m. No one will be allowed back into Jasper after 9 p.m.
Officials stressed that the pictures people have seen so far from inside the town likely won’t prepare them for what they are going to see firsthand. They also said the smell of smoke in the town may be overwhelming.
“Returning to Jasper will be emotional and daunting at times,” said Alan Fehr, Jasper field unit superintendent with Jasper National Park.
“Many have faced significant losses – homes, businesses and livelihoods. The fabric of our community has changed and some of our neighbours may not be able to return right away.”
There is no timeline yet as to when visitors and non-residents will be allowed into Jasper.
Officials have warned that not everyone who goes back on Friday will be able to stay overnight, as utility services have not been reconnected to the entire townsite.
On Monday, officials said work to restore residential gas, water and electricity services could take up to three weeks or more.
The fire remains classified as out of control at about 33,400 hectares. The northwest perimeter of the fire, which presents a risk to the townsite, is 99 per cent contained or controlled.
The municipality has a re-entry guide for residents on its website.
For the latest information on which areas in Alberta are under an evacuation alert or order due to a wildfire, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website.
For the latest information on the wildfire status and danger across the province, visit the Alberta Wildfire website.
The latest information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province can be found on the Alberta fire bans website.