Parks Canada has announced that Miette Hot Springs, a popular feature of Jasper National Park, has reopened as crews continue to battle the wildfire that is keeping the rest of the park closed.
Parks Canada released a statement saying the springs, along with the Springs-to-Springs Trail, would reopen to visitors Sunday after a lengthy closure due to the Utopia wildfire and the Jasper complex fires.
On Saturday, Parks Canada announced that the status of the fire complex had been upgraded from out of control to contained, nearly four weeks after forcing the evacuation of the park and town.
The organization said the Utopia fire was out.
The fire destroyed nearly a third of the town’s structures, and residents were not allowed to return until Friday.
In its statement, Parks Canada says Miette Hot Springs features the hottest springs in the Canadian Rockies, noting that water flows down the mountain at 54°C before cooling to a comfortable 40°C as it enters the hot springs pool.
“Parks Canada recognizes the critical role that regional tourism plays in recovery efforts and the importance of Miette Hot Springs in this regard. This reopening will help revitalize the local economy and provide a place for relaxation and rejuvenation,” the government agency said in a separate statement posted on Facebook.
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The fire destroyed nearly a third of the town’s structures, and residents were not allowed to return until Friday.
Jasper residents will have free access to the springs, the statement added.
The evacuation alert requiring returning Jasper residents to be prepared to leave on short notice was also lifted Saturday.
All other areas of Jasper National Park remain closed, Parks Canada said, including other facilities accessible from the Miette Road, such as the Miette Campground.
Visitors can access the springs from Highway 16, which runs through the park before turning onto Miette Road. However, Parks Canada noted that Highway 16 is only open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and that travellers should ensure they have sufficient fuel and provisions before entering the national park.