Wildfire In Canadian National Park Now Under Control, Officials Say

TORONTO (Reuters) - The wildfire that ravaged an iconic Canadian national park and the tourist town nestled within it is now under control, officials said Saturday.

"As of today, Sept. 7, 2024, the Jasper Wildfire Complex is classified as under control. This means that the wildfire has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread of the fire," Jasper National Park posted on Facebook Saturday afternoon.

"Strong potential exists for smoke and flames to be visible inside the fire’s perimeter until the onset of winter."

The fire raged for weeks and burned hundreds of buildings in the 5,000-person town of Jasper. Evacuees returned last month, many to rubble and ash.

In addition to lives and livelihoods the fire disrupted a vital tourist season in an area that welcomes millions of visitors a year. Fire and smoke have increasingly become spoilers of tourist seasons in Canada's west.

Over the course of the incident more than 3,000 people have worked on the fire but that figure is now down to 20, the park posted.

A fire ban is still in effect. Some areas of the town and park remain closed.

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Daniel Wallis)