Jasper residents can return home on Friday

Wildfire evacuees can begin returning to their homes in Jasper, Alberta starting Friday.
Municipality and Parks Canada officials say it’s a blanket re-entry date for everyone to come back at once, but suggests residents be prepared to spend the first night elsewhere in case of damage to their homes’ interiors.
Parks Canada said over the weekend firefighters had contained 80 per cent of the northwest perimeter of the out-of-control wildfire threatening the town.
It says activity has been ramping up in the town ahead of residents’ return, including work to reconnect essential services like gas, water and electricity.