As wildfire risk recedes, Jasper business owners eager to reopen [Video]

The road to recovery is starting to clear for businesses in Jasper, Alta., a month after some 25,000 visitors and residents were forced to flee a raging wildfire.

While Jasper National Park and the town are still closed to visitors, on Friday the park service announced that it had reopened the road south through the Rocky Mountains that is a key draw for tourists.

“Getting the Icefield Parkway Highway 93 open all the way between Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff was really important,” said Paul Hardy, owner of SunDog Transportation and Tour Co.

The route adds to the full reopening of Highway 16 earlier this week, which has ushered in teams of service workers to help rebuild the community, bringing businesses closer to reopening.