Nearly seven weeks since a wildfire forced the evacuation of Jasper National Park and burned nearly a third of the townsite91裸聊视频檚 structures, Parks Canada says the blaze is now officially under control.

Landon Shepherd, incident commander with the parks agency, told an online media briefing Saturday the change in status means the fire has been sufficiently suppressed to ensure it won91裸聊视频檛 spread outside of its defined perimeter.

Shepherd says that perimeter is 278 km long.

The fire91裸聊视频檚 status was last changed on Aug. 17 when it moved from being out-of-control to 91裸聊视频渂eing held,91裸聊视频� which meant it wasn91裸聊视频檛 expected to spread into any priority areas.

That happened one day after residents of the Jasper townsite were allowed to return home on Aug. 16.

Shepherd notes there is still a good chance that smoke, as well as flames, will be visible inside the fire area right into early winter.

91裸聊视频淲hile we have much to celebrate today, there91裸聊视频檚 certainly a lot more to be done, and our collaborative efforts aren91裸聊视频檛 going to end with just putting this 91裸聊视频榰nder control91裸聊视频� stamp on a very large and complex wildfire, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Municipality of Jasper on the road to rebuilding and recovery,91裸聊视频� Shepherd said.

The town91裸聊视频檚 5,000 residents and 20,000 visitors to Jasper National Park were ordered out in late July due to the wildfire.

Shepherd said the change in the fire91裸聊视频檚 status won91裸聊视频檛 affect what91裸聊视频檚 open in the park. Campgrounds and many trails remain closed, according to the park91裸聊视频檚 website, and Shepherd said that reopening them requires crews being able to ensure areas are safe from fire-weakened trees.

The website says Roads are also closed other than Highway 16, Highway 93N, the Columbia Icefield area, Miette Road and Miette Hot Springs area, the Jasper town site, and the Pyramid Lake area west of the Pyramid Lake parking lot.

The Canadian Press