September 13 updates: Southwestern Alberta wildfire situation

^ Video tour on the afternoon of September 13 along Highway 6 from the Highway 505 intersection to near the Waterton Lakes National Park entrance.

• Alberta Emergency Alert update for Cardston County, 9:21 pm Sept. 13 - Electrical power remains out, Fire is contained, but still, may pose a danger. A mandatory evacuation remains in place. Cardston County has contained the fire to a single location and crew have it well under control. Residents have no power which causes the Evacuation to remain in place. . Evacuation area remains from the Waterton Park Boundary, East for 8 miles only. Re-entry plans are now being developed. Further update to follow Thursday morning, September 14
• Unified Command update, 9:00 pm September 13 - Please see the (above) updated map of the Kenow Fire. We now estimate that the wildfire now covers an area of approximately 35,000 ha. This map has been created with GPS information and satellite imagery and gives a more accurate representation of the area impacted by the fire. There is a potential for precipitation later tonight, which could provide some relief. We will provide another update on the situation tomorrow.

Beaver Mines General Store owner shares Castle parks plan concerns

Jeff McLarty

Chris Davis - Jeff McLarty and his wife Stephanie purchased the Beaver Mines General Store in December of 2015. The business offers an eclectic mix of goods and services, including gasoline, sundries, a deli and small dining area, gift items, artisan work, beer and liquor, firewood, propane, lodgings, and camping, hunting and fishing supplies. Located on Highway 774, the store is the last stop before Castle Mountain Resort (which is 20 km down the road southwest of Beaver Mines) and is at the doorway to the Castle parks area. The recently unveiled Castle parks draft management plan concerns McLarty.

AWA and Timberwolf: Cutthroats cut out of Castle

Before and 10 minutes after: Gold Creek, a tributary to the Crowsnest River, contains multiple OHV crossings and is heavily loaded with silt and mud following a rain event as runoff enters from surrounding OHV trails. OHV use results in increased soil compaction, proliferation of invasive species, increased habitat fragmentation, and increased runoff of sediment into streams which negatively impacts water quality and fish habitat. Photo: L. Fitch, P. Biol.

Alberta Wilderness Association

The Critical Habitat Order for Threatened westslope cutthroat trout provides the legislation needed to prohibit off highway vehicles (OHVs) within the Castle Provincial and Wildland Provincial Parks. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and Timberwolf Wilderness Society are calling on the Federal and Provincial Governments to enforce the Order to protect remaining westslope cutthroat trout populations in the Castle. This initial step will work towards restoring populations to self-sustaining levels as per the Recovery Strategy issued in March 2014. This call was issued in a joint communiqué released by a number of scientists, individuals, and conservation organizations demanding proper management of Alberta's Eastern Slopes.