Scenic highway in Jasper National Park reopened as wildfire continues to be held

JASPER, Alta. – One of Canada’s most scenic highways has reopened as the wildfire in Jasper National Park continues to be held.

Jane Park, incident commander with Parks Canada, says Highway 93, also known as the Icefields Parkway, is now open to through traffic.

But she warns travellers must head straight through the mountain- and glacier-lined road without stopping.

She says there are no services available on the highway between the town of Jasper and the Icefields Discovery Centre and Saskatchewan River Crossing, a stretch of about 150 kilometres.

Park says RCMP and emergency services are available on the road in case drivers run into trouble.

She adds all rest areas and scenic lookouts require hazard assessments and danger tree removal before drivers can safely exit their vehicles.

Officials say they’re hoping to gradually clear parts of the park for local and visitor recreation.

But there are no timelines for when businesses in the town of Jasper can reopen.

Feature image by iStock.com/artmanc10