Pincher Creek area under wildfire evacuation alert

Campers and residents in the Castle Resort area should be prepared to evacuate due to a wildfire burning on the B.C. side of the provincial boundary.

The Sage Creek fire is still about two kilometres from that boundary but those living at or visiting the ski resort and West and South Castle Valleys were placed under an evacuation alert early Friday afternoon.

The alert also affects the area south of Hwy. 774 from the Beaver Mines Lake turnoff to the Castle Mountain Resort.

Memories of the Kenow Mountain fire, which ravaged parts of Waterton Lakes National Park and surrounding areas last summer, are fresh in the minds of locals, said one firefighter with the MD of Pincher Creek.

While the current alert is considered a precaution, residents and campers are being asked to

remain alert if the fire advances eastward, said Tara Cryderman, spokeswoman for the MD.

“We’re just letting people know it’s still in B.C., it’s hot and dry and to get your 72-hour emergency kit ready, and to go fill your car in case we have to knock on your door to get you to leave,” she said.

On Thursday, 69 firefighters, eight helicopters and one air tanker were battling the 1,200-hectare blaze burning just to the north of the site of the Kenow Mountain fire.

Challenging terrain and high temperatures which were in the mid-30 C range Friday were challenging firefighters, said MD of Pincher Creek officials.