Parks Canada has fully reopened the Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93N, to through traffic as of 7 a.m. Friday (Aug. 23).
Connecting Banff and Jasper national parks and linking Lake Louise in the south with Jasper in the north, this 230-kilometre roadway is commonly cited as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the world.
Crews were busy in recent days removing debris and hazard trees in order to make the parkway safe for travellers.
While the remainder of the parkway leading to the Jasper townsite has now reopened, no stopping is allowed on this section yet.
“Motorists must drive through the park without stopping as all rest areas and scenic lookouts require further hazard assessments and danger tree removal before people can safely exit their vehicles,” Parks Canada stated in an update.
All toilets, viewpoints, day-use and picnic areas, trails and campgrounds along this section of road are closed, with no estimated reopening date.
Attractions between Athabasca Glacier and the Jasper townsite, such as Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls, remain closed.
Cell phone coverage is limited or unavailable on this section of parkway.
Motorists should be prepared for no service availability from the Athabasca Glacier to Hinton to the east, and Valemount or McBride to the west.
According to 511 Alberta, search and rescue services are limited as resources are currently dedicated to wildfire management and resident and staff safety.
A portion of the Icefields Parkway has previously been reopened between the Saskatchewan River Crossing and the Columbia Icefield.
Highway 16 is now fully open 24/7, but non-residents are not allowed to stop inside Jasper National Park or access the townsite.
Miette Road and Miette Hot Springs area is open, and the rest of Jasper National Park remains closed.
Parks Canada also plans to open portions of Pyramid Lake Road in the coming days, and crews will move to work on reopening secondary roads such as 93A (from Marmot Basin to 93N), Marmot Basin Road and Whistlers Road.
Motorists are asked to check 511 Alberta before travelling.
Wildfire update
Calming winds have helped firefighters make progress on the ground, and crews are tackling hot spots near the Jasper SkyTram, the Maligne Valley and the north perimeter toward Overlander Creek.
Parks Canada warned that smoke may continue to be visible from these areas, and only smoke outside the fire perimeter should be reported.
Call Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155 to report new wildfires.
Parks Canada is slowly assessing trailheads as safe access allows, and once they are clear, it will contact campers who had to leave their vehicles behind after being rescued from the backcountry during the evacuation.
The Jasper Wildfire Complex remains classified as “being held,” and fire equipment and resources continue to be released when no longer needed.