Waterton wildfire update: blaze grows by 33,000 hectares, visitor centre lost

UPDATE: Waterton wildfire Wednesday – evacuees eager for updates as donations pour in

The main visitor centre at Waterton Lakes National Park has been lost to the fast-moving Kenow Mountain wildfire, according to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.

“In the town of Waterton, roughly 45 structural firefighters from neighbouring municipalities, including the city of Calgary, are working to protect the structures within the perimeter of the town,” Notley said in a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

“Unfortunately, structures outside the perimeter have been lost, including the visitor centre and several other buildings.”

Scroll down for information on evacuations in the area. 

WATCH: Amateur video shows crews fighting the devastating Kenow Mountain wildfire burning in Waterton Lakes National Park.

The most recent map provided by Parks Canada shows the fire has grown about 33,000 hectares since Monday.

“The fire is out of control,” said Leslie Lozinski from Alberta Agriculture. “It is classified as out of control and it will probably remain out of control for some time until we see significant change in the fire behaviour.”

“What’s going to happen overnight? We don’t know. But going into it, it’s a little bit calmer than it was last night and we’re hoping it’s going to stay that way.”

Watch below: Some videos from Tuesday night’s press conference with new details about the Waterton-area wildfires.

View photos of the fire below:

Cool, damp weather is expected to move into the region overnight.

Parks Canada maintained the townsite was unaffected by the spreading fire, with the exception of the visitor centre which sits just adjacent to the town’s boundary.

“We’re still doing an assessment and we need to be able to complete that assessment before we have a determination of what may have happened,” Supt. Ifan Thomas said.

The iconic Prince of Wales Hotel is still intact, according to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

WATCH: Natalie Fay from Parks Canada discusses the damage to infrastructure in Waterton Lakes National Park.

For the latest update from Parks Canada, click here

The growth overnight Monday was due to weather conditions, not a controlled burn or fire management measures. It’s expected “extreme fire behaviour” will continue for another day.

For information on the current status of Alberta wildfires, click here. For B.C. wildfires, click here.

The wildfire is still affecting many back-country and front-country areas in the park, including the Cameron Valley, the Crandell Mountain area, the Blakiston Valley and grasslands in the north of the park.

WATCH: Global photographer Tim Lee captured these images as water bombers continue to fly overhead, attacking the wildfire in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Highways within Waterton Lakes National Park are closed due to wildfire activity (Highways 5, 6 and Chief Mountain border crossing).

A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for all areas of Waterton Lakes National Park, including the Waterton townsite and all front-country and back-country trails. All residents and non-essential personnel have been safely evacuated and the townsite is secure. Admittance at the park gate is limited to essential personnel.

WATCH: RCMP Cpl. Curtis Peters explains what the evacuation process over the last few days in southern Alberta.

What’s open and what’s closed: 

•    Waterton Lakes National Park is Closed: www.parkscanada.ca/waterton-kenow-fire
•    Calgary Forest Protection Area south of Highway 532 is Closed: http://srd.web.alberta.ca/calgary-area-update

Information from Parks Canada for residents under evacuation:

• You must leave the area immediately;
• 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 (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.

Blood Tribe: under a mandatory evacuation

The Blood Tribe remains under a local state of emergency due to the Waterton Parks wildfire potentially reaching the community, located southwest of Lethbridge.

A mandatory evacuation order has been declared for the Zone 1 area, which includes Fish Creek and St. Paul’s area extending north to Russell/Many Fingers residences.

Residence in Zone 3 (north of Russell, Many Fingers residences extending to Lavern and little Chicago area) should prepare to evacuate on short notice.

Evacuation:

Evacuees are directed to go to the Standoff multi-purpose building and register.

Contact the Blood Tribe Police if you have transportation concerns.

Those unable to leave on their own are asked to contact Blood Tribe police for assistance.

Cardston County: under a mandatory evacuation

Cardston remains under a local state of emergency after a wildfire left Waterton Park and spread to the county.