Jasperites' safe return is a top priority. The following re-entry guide does not have all the information you may need. The Municipality of Jasper is working with the Incident Management Team to confirm all details necessary for safe re-entry.
Visitors to this page are strongly encouraged to consult the Municipality of Jasper's re-entry guide, The Municipality of Jasper will be updating this guide throughout the week and will have a final Guide printed for Jasperites when they return. The guide includes information about
- the Re-Entry Centre at Commemoration Park with resources and information
- essential supplies
- town and park safety precautions, including hazards and air quality
- an area closures map and important bulletins about Jasper National Park
- re-entering homes safety, including
- assessing outside hazards and structural damage
- a cleaning checklist
- information about mould assessment and removal
- dealing with fridges, freezers, and other appliances
- discarding food and perishables
- HVAC systems
- cleaning outside
- gardens
- boil water advisory
- water and utilities
- waste disposal
- insurance, including an insurance checklist
- mental health, including resources and key telephone numbers
- emergency contacts
Residents with complicated medical conditions, that could require hospital care, should not return until the hospital is fully operational.
Except for in emergency situations, no one has entered your home or property to inspect for damage inside or outside. Do not assume your home is safe to occupy.
Although your property may be standing, it doesn’t mean there are no hazards. Be cautious and thorough when re-entering your home or property.
Alberta Health Services have a more detailed document about Reopening Buildings, Homes, and Businesses After a Wildfire. Use this document if you need more information.
Statement by Mayor Richard Ireland Monday, August 12, 2024
People who were forced to flee Jasper National Park three weeks ago due to wildfires will be allowed to return home this Friday, August 16. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland spoke to media on Monday calling it an "absolute milestone day."
"We are about to transition Friday from what has been incident response into re-entry and ultimately into recovery." In an update Monday morning, officials with Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper said all residents and business owners will be allowed back at the same time.
The mayor is hoping that visitors will respect residents' needs for time and space as they come to terms with the new reality brought on by the devastating wildfire.
"We are focused now on our residents. We understand that our residents need a functioning economy and it will come, but not Friday." Ireland stated.
Re-entry planning and criteria
Re-entry planning is led by the Municipality of Jasper. Before you can return home, the municipality must make sure critical community lifelines, such as essential retail (food supplies, gas, pharmacies), emergency services and healthcare, utilities and other everyday services are restored and operational.
After a wildfire near your home, your home and/or property may be affected by smoke, soot and ash. Do not go back into any areas that were heavily damaged or destroyed by wildfire until the local authorities allow you to return. The Jasper Emergency Advisory Committee, a committee of municipal Council, agreed on the re-entry criteria, and the Incident Management Team is using the re-entry criteria to guide re-entry progress.
Progress in each area is updated daily by 8 p.m.
Once you can enter areas safely, take basic precautions and be aware of hazards to your health and safety.
Re-entry guidelines for Jasper National Park and the Jasper townsite
Per Jasper National Park, re-entry on August 16 is for residents only Resident security concerns have been heard, and their safe return is Jasper National Park's priority.
Please follow the re-entry steps for residents beginning at 7 a.m. on August 16, 2024:
- Residents and business owners coming from east of Jasper must stop at the East Gate to receive their Resident Re-Entry Guide and then proceed to the east entrance of town. Residents coming from west of Jasper should travel past the West Gate and go directly to the east entrance of town to receive a Resident Re-Entry Guide.
- Residents can show their Parks Canada-issued resident parking pass or self-declare.
- Resident Re-entry Guides include a placard from ATCO Gas. Once you’ve arrived at your property, *you must place the placard visibly in a window or somewhere easily visible from the street to receive a gas relighting service.*
- RCMP will be stationed at the east entrance ensuring everyone entering has a Resident Re-entry Guide. The only entrance to town will be the east entrance. To exit town, please drive out the west entrance.
- Non-residents will be directed to drive through the park on Highway 16 without stopping. Check Alberta 511 for road updates:
- Anyone trying to enter town without a Resident Re-entry Guide will be stopped by RCMP and directed to return to Highway 16. It is important that residents have space to process their immense losses in the community.
Residents who live in Jasper but outside of the main townsite will receive instructions when it is safe for them to return at a later date.
What can residents expect once in town?
The state of Jasper is very different now. The process of returning may be intense. There is disruption to the landscape and property in the townsite due to the emergency response to the fire.
- There is significant damage and possibly triggering sights. Read about the mental health supports before your return.
- The photos you have seen will not prepare you for the smell. Depending on the wind direction, the smell of smoke in town can be overwhelming. Be prepared with N95 masks.
- Things from your balcony or porch may be on the lawn or sidewalk. First responders moved these things following the evacuation order to reduce combustibles next to homes.
- Be prepared to not yet have utilities at your residence.
- Wildlife continue to spend time in the town, and people must keep a safe distance away. Follow all wildlife safety guidelines.
In addition to the printed Resident Re-Entry Guide, more information to prepare for resident re-entry will be posted online.
Evacuation alert issued for Jasper starting August 16
Starting August 16, the Municipality of Jasper will be under an evacuation alert. This means you must be prepared to evacuate within one hour if needed. While the Incident Command Team believes the risk to the townsite is low, there is still an active wildfire in Jasper National Park. Please be prepared.
The Re-Entry Support Centre in Commemoration Park is available daily from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m., with agency representatives on-site from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Traffic is expected to be heavy, so drive safely and follow the speed limits.
- You may experience long waits at the gate as residents return. Please be patient with each other and with the gate staff.
- Only authorized personnel, like insurance representatives, are allowed behind fencing around restricted properties. If you've lost your property, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Visit Team Rubicon at the Re-Entry Support Centre in Commemoration Park to discuss sifting through your property, but, for your safety, do not enter fenced-off areas. You may notice that there is heavy equipment working on private property behind these fences. Crews are not sifting through or removing any debris on private property; they are only addressing immediate public safety hazards.
- All areas outside the town and Highway 16 corridor remain closed.
Transportation to Jasper
For those residents who were evacuated but do not have transportation, the Municipality of Jasper is working on setting up busses to pick you up at the Reception Centres.
To secure transportation for your return to Jasper during the week of August 19, 2024, complete the Re-Entry Transportation to Jasper Registration form by Saturday, August 17 at 4 p.m. to register for bus transport. If you registered, you will be contacted about scheduling.
- You must present proof of Jasper residency to board the bus. Acceptable documents include government-issued ID with a Jasper address, a pay stub, or a rental agreement.
- There is no housing available in Jasper if you cannot access your home or if your home is not safe to stay in.
- If you cannot stay in Jasper, return bus transport will be available from the Re-Entry Support Centre in Jasper to an Evacuee Reception Centre in Edmonton or Calgary.
- Please wait to check out from your hotel or reception centre until you have safely settled into your Jasper home or another accommodation.
- Please ensure it is safe to enter your home or secure temporary accommodation in Jasper before going into town.
Bus schedules for the week of August 21 through August 24, inclusive, are as follows.
Grande Prairie departure
Grande Prairie Reception Centre
Holiday Inn and Suites
9816 107 St
Grande Prairie, AB
| August 24 | 9 a.m. | Grande Prairie Reception Centre (includes pet transportation) |
Edmonton departure
Edmonton Reception Centre
12814 58 Street, Building B
Edmonton, AB
Hours: 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. (After-hours call number on gate)
| August 21 | 9 a.m | Edmonton Reception Centre (includes pet transportation) |
| August 22 | 9 a.m. | Edmonton Reception Centre |
| August 23 | 9 a.m. | Edmonton Reception Centre |
Calgary departure
Calgary Reception Centre
Shouldice Athletic Park
1515 Home Road NW
Calgary, AB
Hours: 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. (Call 311 after hours; last day of operations is Friday, August 16)
| August 21 | 10 a.m. | Calgary Reception Centre |
| August 23 | 10 a.m. | Calgary Reception Centre (includes pet transportation |
*These buses will stop overnight in Edson on the way to, and from, Jasper.
Jasper departure to Edmonton
On the day you arrived from Commemoration Park
Passengers that arrive from Grande Prairie will depart Jasper and go the the Edmonton Reception Centre
Jasper departure to Calgary
On the day you arrived from Commemoration Park
*These buses will stop overnight in Edson on the way to the Calgary reception centre.
Use of recreational vehicles and trailers within the Jasper townsite
The Municipality of Jasper is making temporary adjustments to the Traffic Bylaw 195 to allow for the safe use of recreational vehicles (RVs) and trailers within the townsite from August 16, 2024, to September 15, 2024. The intention is to provide flexibility to those residents located within green zones to park in front of their properties or agree to provide their space to red zone friends and family with RVs or trailers.
Green zones
These temporary changes apply to areas in green zones and include:
- waiving of the 72-hour time limit for parking a recreational vehicle or trailer on a roadway
- permission for trailers to be left unattached on a roadway
- permission for residents to use their RV or trailer as transitional housing during re-entry from August 16, 2024, to September 15, 2024
Wherever possible, recreation vehicles should be parked in residential driveways to reduce congestion on the roadway. Resident parking of RVs and trailers in public parking lots is not permitted. During the bylaw adjustment period, Bylaw Officers will manage complaints and address safety or access issues.
For those who may choose to park in front of their properties, make the yellow ATCO Gas placard you will receive upon re-entry highly visible to ATCO employees (second floor window or an area that is easily seen from the street).
Red zones
RV and trailer parking on the roadway in red zones is not allowed at this time to ensure emergency, utility, and contractor access while cleanup is underway.
Sani-Dump access
Personnel are working on plans to make sani-dump access available to those using trailers.
Refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers
Before you assess your fridge or freezer, be sure to have a plan with your insurance provider and understand the process. Your insurance provider may advise you to tape your appliance shut to remove risk of mould exposure. If you do find mould, contact your insurance company to see whether you need to replace your fridge or freezer, and whether you have coverage for this.
If you're unsure of what to do, contact your insurance company. They can help you determine if you need to replace your fridge or freezer. Do not put your fridge, freezer, dishwasher or other large appliances on the street.
If you decide to dispose of any large appliances, complete the Appliance Pick Up Request Form to request a pickup of contaminated appliances. This white goods program (fridges, freezers, etc.) will run from August 16 through August 30.
Cleaning your fridge
If safe to do so, you can clean, disinfect, and deodorize your fridge and freezer once you have discarded the spoiled food:
- Unplug the fridge and freezer.
- Rinse or blow out the coils and compressors.
- To clean the inside, use soap and water, then rinse with clean water.
- Sanitize the inside with a bleach/water mixture made by mixing a teaspoon (5 mL) of ordinary household bleach for every 4 cups (1 L) of water.
- Leave the doors of the fridge and freezer open to help them dry out.
- Once the appliance is dry, reconnect the power.
- Wait until the inside temperature of your fridge has reached 4° C before restocking it with food.
- Wait until your freezer temperature is at -18° C before restocking it with food.
Dishwasher
Run a regular hot temperature cycle or a sanitization cycle.
If you find mould, contact your insurance provider. Exposure to mould can be hazardous. You can remove mould yourself or hire a contractor through your insurance company.
If you find mould that covers an area larger than a bath towel (10 ft² or 1 m²), hire a contractor to remove it.
Information for those whose properties were destroyed
Representatives from Team Rubicon Canada will be on location at the Re-Entry Support Centre at Jasper's Commemoration Park, and residents whose properties were destroyed will be able to speak to them and book an appointment to sift through their property with the Team’s assistance.
Appointment bookings started on Friday, August 16, but the actual work will not begin until Friday, August 23 at the earliest. This wait allows Team Rubicon Canada to conduct safety assessments of the properties. If your property was destroyed, visit Team Rubicon Canada at the Re-Entry Support Centre for more information on how the process works and how to book an appointment.
If residents prefer, they can also call 1-855-242-2657 to make an appointment.
Someone can also make a proxy appointment on a resident’s behalf, although Team Rubicon Canada will need to confirm with the resident directly and undergo authorization paperwork. Team Rubicon Canada requires signed permission to enter a property, even if it is destroyed.
Team Rubicon Canada volunteers, known as Greyshirts, are deploying from across Canada to be part of teams that will lead the recovery and sifting operations. These operations are conducted at no cost to homeowners, and follow strict safety protocols that enable our highly trained Greyshirts to sift through the potentially hazardous debris and ash of homes to find keepsakes, heirlooms, and personal items.
For your safety, only trained professionals, like Team Rubicon Canada or insurance representatives, are permitted to go behind the fencing placed around damaged properties. We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time, and we are very sorry for your loss.