Hopes higher as weather tempers wildfire risk
Evacuees got their first glimpse behind the Waterton fire barricades Wednesday, as some residents who live north of the blaze were permitted to return briefly to check on their homes and feed livestock.
It was an emotional return for rancher Emma LaRocque, who took in the vast stretches of smouldering earth left behind by the Kenow wildfire as she drove south on Highway 6 towards her childhood home.
“It was hard not to burst into tears. We all grew up here and it’s pretty emotional to see it like this,” LaRocque said.
The Kenow fire is still burning out of control, but exhibited much calmer behaviour Wednesday than the previous day when it nearly doubled in size within hours.
The fire grew by a “minimal” 2,000 hectares to reach a total size of approximately 44,000 hectares, officials said.
A mandatory evacuation order was lifted for residents of the Blood Tribe, and residents in the Municipal District of Pincher Creek were permitted to return home for short visits.
LaRocque and her family were overwhelmed with relief to find their ranch and livestock north of Waterton intact.
She said some of her neighbours haven’t been so lucky.
“I’ve spent a lot of times in all these places,” LaRocque said.
“We’re all feeling really thankful that what we have is still there and just sending all the love we can to those who have lost.”
Five homes within the M.D. of Pincher Creek were lost to the fire, according to RCMP. Another five outbuildings, two large sheds and one bridge on a private property were also destroyed.
Cooler temperatures, calmer winds and the efforts of fire crews were successful in decreasing the fire risk to other structures within the M.D. of Pincher Creek.
The Kenow fire is also no longer threatening the Waterton national park townsite.
“There are definitely hot spots in that area (but) the fire is certainly not threatening the town right now,” said Parks Canada information officer John Stoesser.
“The townsite is fully protected by a black burn-off line.”
Fire crews were focused Wednesday on battling more aggressive blazes south of the Waterton townsite and in the Castle area on the west side of Sage Mountain.
“It’s difficult to fight fire in the mountains, in that terrain,” said Leslie Lozinski, an Alberta wildfire information officer. “Fire travels uphill very quickly and then, depending on the condition, it can jump from one ridge to the next, and depending on the wind, it can carry embers across.”
Despite the progress made, evacuation orders remain in place for the Waterton townsite, parts of Cardston Country and the M.D. of Pincher Creek.
A re-entry plan for displaced residents is in the works, and authorities are working with power and gas companies to ensure that it will be safe for residents to return in the coming days.
Cardston County residents could be permitted to return home as early as Thursday morning.
“The fire has been contained within Cardston County, but we’re still holding our evacuation notice in an attempt to ensure we’ve got power to all the residents before we allow access,” said Murray Millward with Cardston County, during a telephone town hall held for affected residents Wednesday night.
Some Waterton residents, business owners and leaseholders who phoned into the town hall were frustrated that they didn’t have more information on the status of their properties.
“I can’t confirm the extent of any damage within the townsite yet,” said Natalie Fay of Parks Canada.
“We are working our best to get that assessment completed. We understand that everyone is very eager to get this, but we need the time … to do it right.”