Friday’s expected weather could worsen Waterton fire scenario
WATERTON Anticipated heat and wind could make already extreme conditions even worse in Waterton by Friday afternoon.
The Kenow Fire had not advanced further into Waterton Lakes National Park as of Thursday afternoon, said Elisabeth Caron, public relations and communications officer with Parks Canada. But it continues to grow — approximately 7,800 hectares in size — and weather conditions could lead to increased fire behaviour Friday.
“Dry and hot weather continues to be an issue here in southern Alberta,” said Shannon Phillips, Alberta’s Environment and Parks Minister, and Lethbridge West MLA.
“We’re experiencing an extreme fire hazard to southern Alberta, including our provincial parks and our protected areas. Our government’s highest priority is to protect Albertans and to ensure our communities remain safe. This situation remains fluid.”
An evacuation alert is still in effect for all of Waterton Lakes National Park. Caron said five initial attack crews and one crew dedicated to facility protection are on site in Waterton, with additional crews available if needed.
Thursday, helicopter crews worked to reduce potential wildfire spread at Sage and South Kootenay passes by bucketing water. The fire management team was also assessing options to remove vegetation from South Kootenay Pass.
“Fire crews are identifying and strengthening natural and humanmade landscape features in the Akamina and Red Rock valleys that can act as containment lines to stop or slow the spread of wildfire if it enters the park,” Caron said.
“There is no immediate threat. Crews continue progress on community protection by installing high-volume pumps, hoses and sprinkler systems.”
Matthew Anderson, wildfire information officer with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, reminded the public Thursday that “wildfire season is far from over.”
“The skies here are a testament to that,” he said. “Conditions remain extreme in southwestern Alberta, but we’re here and we’re ready. We positioned our resources accordingly. Wildfires are a challenging work environment.”
Anderson said provincial resources available include 840 firefighters, 110 helicopters and 18 tankers. He also said there are 18 wildfires currently in Alberta, while only 45 enforcement actions have been issued.
“Albertans have been very co-operative and understanding,” Anderson said.
“We have had an incredibly high degree of co-operation regarding fire bans, recreational off-highway vehicle use, and the closure of 13 provincial parks and campgrounds,” Phillips said, adding that a provincial operations centre has been activated and is monitoring the Waterton situation closely.
“Albertans understand these steps are necessary to ensure an extreme hazard is just a hazard, not something far worse.”
All campgrounds in the Castle Park are closed, while Chain Lakes Provincial Park is also closed. In Montana, Glacier National Park said on Twitter Thursday that they are expecting lightning and high winds Friday, which may hamper firefighting efforts there.
People are encouraged to stay informed on the wildfires via the media, social media and through official notifications and apps relating to the Alberta Wildfires, Parks Canada, Emergency Alert Systems and Air Quality Indexes.