EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally said the Kenow Mountain wildfire was 20 kilometres away from Waterton Lakes National Park. It is actually 20 kilometres away from the Waterton town site. The story has since been updated to reflect that.
One day after an approaching wildfire prompted a mandatory evacuation order to be issued for people in Waterton Lakes National Park and the Waterton townsite, officials said on Saturday that crews were focusing their attention on preventing the fire from spreading into the park through the Akamina Pass, near the park’s western edge.
“Given the current forecast and the forest fuel conditions there, it is a possibility that the fire could move through Akamina Pass as a high-intensity wildfire,” said Rick Kubian, Parks Canada area commander.
A mandatory evacuation alert was issued for the area Friday afternoon as officials said they were concerned by forecasted winds that had the potential to move the Kenow Mountain wildfire in B.C., east into the park.
A reception centre has been set up for evacuees in Pincher Creek. As of Saturday morning, officials said only about 10 people had officially registered as evacuees but called on other evacuees to register — either by person, by phone or via email — even if they were in a safe place.
READ MORE: Waterton park and townsite under mandatory evacuation due to wildfire
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ ongoing coverage of the Kenow Mountain wildfire.
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Waterton park and townsite under mandatory evacuation due to wildfire -
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Waterton evacuee says crews are doing a great job -
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Calgary firefighters heading to Waterton to protect town from wildfire -
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Calgary fire sending crews to help protect Waterton townsite -
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Campers and residents in Waterton prepare for possible evacuation -
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Parks Canada updates fire situation in Waterton Lakes National Park -
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Parks Canada concerned weather change could grow fire into Waterton -
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Parks Canada issues voluntary evacuation alert for Waterton Lakes National Park because of wildfire risk
“We are hoping that in the coming days, more people are registering,” Natalie Fay, a spokesperson for Parks Canada, said on Saturday. “It is important, just in case we do have up-to-date information, that way we can ensure that they’re getting it in a timely fashion.”
Fay added she believes more people haven’t registered because many left during a voluntary evacuation alert issued earlier in the week.
By Saturday evening, the Alberta government said 87 evacuees had registered.
READ MORE: Alberta calls for ‘voluntary evacuation’ of Waterton Lakes National Park over ‘serious wildfire’
Friday’s evacuation order was put in place at 1:15 p.m. MT and officials said by 5 p.m., the park had been secured and everyone aside from emergency personnel had been evacuated.
On Saturday, officials said the Kenow Mountain fire was believed to be 8,500 hectares in size and was still primarily located in B.C.’s Flathead Valley, although spot fires have been sparked near the border of Waterton Lakes National Park near Sage Pass. On Saturday, officials said the only fire burning east of the continental divide was less than a hectare in size, which was being held by Parks Canada.
As of noon on Saturday, the Kenow Mountain wildfire was 20 kilometres away from the Waterton town site, officials said.
“The reason that we’ve been paying very close attention to this over the last week, is that it has the potential — over two, low-forested passes — to move into Waterton Lakes National Park and the potential to threaten the town site,” Kubian said on Saturday.
According to officials, about 185 people and seven helicopters are currently involved with the firefight.
“A large number of that personnel are actually structural fire protection,” Kubian said. “They’re on site in the Waterton town site area ensuring that we’re able to protect the structures that comprise the Waterton town site, should the fire move into the immediate vicinity.”
Late Saturday afternoon, Alberta Environment and Parks released an update on the situation and said an Alberta Emergency Management Agency mobile emergency vehicle is now on scene in Waterton and is serving as an operations centre. The ministry also said an ambulance medical unit has been dispatched to Waterton.
View photos taken in Waterton Lakes National Park on Saturday below:
Parks Canada said Saturday it would be “moving into unified command” with the province of Alberta, allowing authorities to work together on a single incident with one set of objectives.
On Saturday, Kubian told reporters this year has seen a “fairly exceptional fire season.”
“Unprecedented drying conditions and weather have led to fire behaviour that many of us have not seen in our careers and has created situations that are very unique.”
On Saturday afternoon, the Alberta government said the following highways were closed as a result of the wildfire, except for people with special permits”
- Highway 5 from the Town of Waterton to Highway 6;
- Highway 532 west of Highway 22;
- Highway 520 east of Highway 22 for about 12 kilometres;
- Highway 774 from Highway 507 to Castle Provincial Park.
Waterton evacuees are asked to register by calling 403-904-0021 or emailing mdinfo@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca. You can also register with authorities in person at the Vertical Church on 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd. in Pincher Creek, Alta.
Information from Parks Canada for residents under evacuation:
You must leave the area immediately;
Follow the travel route provided on the map (see above);
If you need transportation assistance to leave Waterton, please (a) advise the individual providing you with this in-person notice, (b) go to Waterton Park Community Centre or (c) call 403-859-5109 if you cannot do (a) or (b);
Close all windows and doors;
Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers;
Close gates (latch) but do not lock;
Gather your family: take a neighbour or someone who needs help;
Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, important documents, and keys) only if they are immediately available;
Take pets in pet kennels or on leash;
Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service;
Emergency personnel will check all houses and locations and mark them when cleared;
Travel will only be permitted out of the park. Admittance at the Waterton Lakes National Park gate will be limited to emergency vehicles.
All evacuees are strongly recommended to register at the reception and evacuation centre located in Pincher Creek at the Vertical Church (1200 Ken Thornton Blvd., located just south of Co-Op and Vista Village), even if you do not require assistance.
Registering will provide a record that you were evacuated and enable authorities to contact you with any new information. You can register by email to mdinfo@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca <mailto:mdinfo@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca> (put in subject line: “Evac Registration”) or by phoning 403-904-0021. Please provide name, number in party and contact phone number.
For more information, contact the Parks Canada information line at 403-859-5109.
— With files from Erika Tucker
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