Rain isn’t usually the hero of the day, but on a few rare occasions, it can actually work wonders.
Such was the case for Waterton Lakes National Park, which was under an evacuation notice as of Thursday, August 23.
See also
- Waterton Lakes National Park under evacuation notice due to wildfires
- Grizzly bear attack forces closures for parts of Spray Valley Provincial Park
- Man shot in leg while golfing near Alberta shooting range
The alert was caused by the Boundary Wildfire in Glacier National Park, just south across the border. Luckily for residents in both countries, rainfall has suppressed the fire enough for the alert to be lifted for the Waterton Lakes area.
Update: Boundary Wildire, August 27, 2018, 09:00 – Rain has suppressed the Boundary Wildfire in Glacier National Park, U.S.A. enough for Parks Canada to lift the Evacuation Alert issued for Waterton Lakes National Park. https://t.co/sjzGOJpGVZ
— Waterton Lakes NP (@WatertonLakesNP) August 27, 2018
According to a release from Park Canada, the fire remains active at 860 hectares, and while work is being done by both Parks Alberta and Glacier National Park, smoke and flames will continue to be visible for those in the Waterton area throughout the following days.
The following areas have been reopened to public use:
• Crypt Lake Trail
• Bertha Falls and Bertha Lake trails, and Bertha Falls and Bertha Lake backcountry campgrounds
• Emerald Bay Day Use Area
• Driftwood Beach
• Alpine Stables
• Hay Barn Road
• Crandell Loop
• Knight’s Lake
• Maskinonge
• Wishbone Trail
• Non-motorized access to Red Rock Parkway up to Coppermine Creek
• Access to water bodies
We’re not out of the woods quite yet, but at least the people of Waterton Lakes no longer need to be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice.