The Waterton wildfire has burned nearly 10,000 hectares in southwest Alberta
The wildfire that threatens Waterton, Alberta has already burned through approximately 9,400 hectares of forest.
What began as a fire near Kenow Mountain in BC has since crossed the border into the Waterton Lakes National Park, prompting an evacuation of the Town of Waterton, according to a September 8 release from the Alberta government.
See also
- Air quality statement remains in effect for Calgary
- Fire ban issued for the City of Calgary
- 2017 just became Calgary's smokiest year in history
By Saturday all residents had been evacuated from the town, though air quality advisories remained in place for the Waterton Lakes National Park area and other areas of Alberta affected by the wildfire smoke.
According to an update at 4 pm on Sunday, firefighters and resources from Calgary, Coaldale, Lethbridge, the Municipal District of Willow Creek, and Taber have joined in the effort to quench the wildfire.
“The currently deployed resources are anticipated to be able to hold the fire on the Alberta side,” the Sunday update read.
Parks Canada states that “resources are fully in place to protect infrastructure and facilities in the Waterton townsite,” which include the town’s Prince of Wales Hotel, a 90-year-old building that was designated as a national historic sight in 1992.
Due to the wildfire, travel is closed in the following areas:
- Highway 5, from the Town of Waterton to Highway 6
- Highway 532, west of Highway 22
- Highway 520, east of Highway 22 for approximately 12 km
- Highway 774, from Highway 507 to Castle Provincial Park
A fire weather advisory also remains in effect for the area due to winds upwards of 70 km per hour in the forecast for Monday, though Tuesday and Wednesday may see periods of rain—hopefully enough to aid in extinguishing the fire.
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