Boundary Wildfire affecting Waterton

The U.S. Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team is using heavy helicopter on the Boundary Wildfire when wind permits. Parks Canada / John Stoesser photo

• Waterton’s Boundary Wildfire website and Facebook and Twitter
• Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1 updates for the Boundary Wildfire

Parks Canada

September 13, 2018; 12:00

During the overnight period, cooler temperatures and precipitation resulted in no fire growth.

Working on the ground under the direction of the U.S. Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team (IMT), the initial attack teams from Banff, Kootenay and Grasslands national parks will continue extinguishing any hot spots that may be present. The U.S. IMT and Parks Canada are coordinating efforts and are in constant communication.

The forecast is looking favourable with cooler temperatures and precipitation in the form of rain with the potential for snow in the coming days. With this trend towards cooler weather and an increase in precipitation, Fire Managers are confident that there will be no significant fire growth within Waterton Lakes National Park.

As of 10:00 a.m. on Friday September 14th, 2018, the Bertha Lake Trail, and Bertha Lake and Bertha Bay Backcountry Campgrounds will re-open. The Lakeshore Trail beyond Bertha Bay Backcountry Campground will remain closed.

Mischief to Fort Macleod Lions Ball Diamond

RCMP Alberta - Sometime between the hours of 8:00 pm on September 5th and 8:00 am on September 6th, 2018 unknown suspects entered the concession booth at the Lions Ball Diamond in Fort Macleod and proceeded to splash paint all over the walls and floor causing a considerable amount of damage.

Safe drivers rewarded in Pincher Creek

At their August 16, 2018 meeting, council for the Town of Pincher Creek directed the Town's administration to purchase $200 in $10 gift cards from local businesses to be distributed by the Community Peace Officer to random safe drivers during the first week of September 2018.

At the same meeting council also directed the administration to set up a meeting with the Minister of Justice at the 2018 AUMA Conference (September 26 - 28) to discuss photo radar in Pincher Creek.

Blood Tribe man killed in hit and run incident near Lethbridge Airport

RCMP Alberta - On September 4 around 4:50 am on Highway 5 near Township Road 82 two people were walking on Highway 5 southbound. The man and a woman had just left the Lethbridge city limits walking towards the Lethbridge Airport. The man was on the southbound driving lane and was struck by a truck also heading southbound. The woman was not hit by the truck nor injured. Coaldale RCMP members, Lethbridge Police Service members, Lethbridge Fire/EMS all responded to this event. Tragically, a 26 year old man from the Blood Tribe Reserve was pronounced deceased on scene.

Two U of L researchers win Parkland Institute awards

Dr. Tiffany Boulton

University of Lethbridge - Two research projects, one on midwifery care in Alberta and the other on the use of gallows humour among the Kainai, got a significant boost thanks to research awards from the Parkland Institute.

Alberta Voice

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Waterton Lakes National Park open to visitors (Boundary Wildfire updates)

Fire Information Update - Boundary Wildfire - August 31, 2018; 16:25

Parks Canada - Waterton Lakes National Park is open and ready to welcome visitors. Most recreational activities and tourism opportunities are available.

Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award recipient Shawna Morning Bull

Shawna Morning Bull (submitted photo)

Piikani Nation's Shawna Morning Bull was recently announced as the winner of the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award, which was presented to her by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi on June 20 at Calgary City Hall during National Indigenous Peoples Day and Aboriginal Awareness Week . 

“I am extremely honored to be receiving such an important award as the Chief David Crowchild Award. I am earnestly grateful for this recognition I have received for my work in the indigenous and non-indigenous community of and the surrounding communities of Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Humbled to my peers that they feel I deserve this honour and thankful for their ongoing encouragement for the work I do.” - Shawna Morning Bull

Closed: All of Waterton Lakes National Park (with some exceptions)

From a Parks Canada Information Update issued August 24, 2018

AREA CLOSURE:

As a result of local fires, all of Waterton Lakes National Park including all water bodies is closed to all traffic and travel until further notice, with the exception of:

• Waterton townsite
• Travel on Highways 5, 6, Chief Mountain Highway and the Entrance Road
• Prince of Wales Hill

Violators may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act: maximum penalty $25,000.

Sage Creek Fire updates

Highway 507 between Beaver Mines and Castle Mountain (Aug. 10)

• Alberta Emergency Alert
• MD of Pincher Creek Twitter
• MD of Pincher Creek Facebook
• MD of Pincher Creek website
• Air quality
• 72 hour emergency kit

Sage Creek Fire Update
August 21, 2018; 1100 hrs

As of 1100 hours, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, the Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) closed the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for the Sage Creek Fire.

REMO would like to acknowledge the personnel from the following agencies, whom have been instrumental in the EOC since August 2, 2018, when Sage Creek was first discovered:

• Pincher Creek Emergency Services
• Alberta Ag and Forestry / Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Parks
• Alberta Health Services
• RCMP
• Shell Waterton
• Town of Pincher Creek
• MD of Pincher Creek
• Alberta Emergency Management Agency
• BC Wildfire

REMO would also like to thank their residents and members of the public for their cooperation with the evacuation alert and area closures.

Public safety is the first priority for any event. Residents are always reminded to have a 72 hour Emergency Kit available and to download the Alberta Emergency Alert app onto their mobile devices.

Joint federal and provincial review panel for Grassy Mountain Coal Project announced

Government of Canada map of proposed mine site

Chris Davis - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency yesterday (August 16, 2018) announced the establishment of a three-member Joint Review Panel for the environmental assessment of Benga Mining Limited's proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project, which would be located 7km north of Blairmore in Crowsnest Pass, pending final approval. "Mr. Alex Bolton has been appointed as the Chair of the Joint Review Panel. Mr. Hans Matthews and Mr. Dean O'Gorman have been appointed as members of the Joint Review Panel."

Update on investigation into shooting on Highway 1A

RCMP Alberta - The RCMP Serious Crimes Branch is appealing to the public for information in the investigation into a shooting that occurred August 2, 2018.

At approximately 11:40 am, a black Dodge Durango was travelling eastbound on Highway 1A through the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. The investigation thus far has revealed that the vehicle, driven by a 60-year-old man from Germany, was travelling from Banff towards Calgary. While travelling on Highway 1A, the man and his family detoured into the Nakoda Lodge briefly then continued east, travelling off the highway once again onto Branch Road and driving a short distance before returning to Highway 1A and continuing east.

Sea cans used as sheds under discussion at town council

Toni Lucas - Council for the Town of Pincher Creek passed the first reading of land use bylaw amendment 1547-AF on Monday, July 23. This bylaw pertains to add standards of development which include allowing a shipping container such as a sea can be part of the accessory building for discretionary use in R1 areas within Pincher Creek. One consideration is the exterior finish is to match the design, character and appearance of the primary building. Council also passed there will be a public hearing on this bylaw amendment Monday, August 27, at 6 pm in council chambers.

Alberta RCMP alarm policy changes to improve efficiency

RCMP Alberta - Alberta RCMP is following a new policy: to verify alarms before responding, and to not respond to alarms that are only triggered once. The policy came into effect on July 13, 2018.

Canada Revenue Agency fraud scam

RCMP Alberta - RCMP have recently received reports of a telephone scam circulating where individuals posing as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tell the call recipient they own money to CRA and can pay with Google cards or some form of alternate gift card purchase.

Impaired charge for operator of boat on Oldman Reservoir

Pincher Creek RCMP - On August 11, 2018 at 8:30 pm Pincher Creek Emergency Services and RCMP received a 911 call from a boater on the Oldman Reservoir who reported his boat had quit and the people onboard were in peril. With limited information and thunderstorms storms moving in, Pincher Creek Fire, Cowley Fire, and the RCMP responded to the North Fork boat launch.

The boater and boat were located on the Crowsnest River arm of the reservoir, where they were sitting on a shallow muddy area. In the boat was a 36-year-old male from Crowsnest Pass, a 32-year-old female and a 7-year-old child.

The adults were found to be intoxicated, the male operator of the boat was arrested and subsequently charged for impaired care and control of a vessel, as well as liquor offences.

Evacuation Alert issued for parts of MD of Pincher Creek, Castle area

MD of Pincher Creek, August 10, 2018; 1300 hours - While the Sage Creek Forest Fire has NOT crossed the Alberta border, a proactive Evacuation Alert is being issued to residents in the following locations:

• Castle Mountain Resort
• West Castle Valley
• South Castle Valley
• All areas South of Highway 774 from the turnoff to Beaver Mines Lake to Castle Mountain Resort

Barricades will be placed along Highway 774 at the turnoff to Beaver Mines Lake Road. Residents of this area are strongly encouraged to have an evacuation plan in place, and be prepared to evacuate with an hours’ notice. Additional information on the evacuation process can be found on the MD website.

Residents choosing to evacuate at this time are requested to register with the MD by calling 1-855-627-5365, and leave a message, or email info@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca. Please provide your contact name, the number in your party, your contact numbers and your legal land description.

Residents with livestock in the area should prepare to remove your animals. A document on preparing your livestock for evacuation is available on the MD website here.

Alberta Parks has issued an Area Closure for the following locations:

• West Castle Valley to the east and south of Castle Mountain Resort
• South Castle Valley, south of designated camping area number 3

For further information on this Area Closure, visit AB Parks website at www.albertaparks.ca.

Residents are strongly encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert app. Instructions can be found at this link. Please listen to the local radio station, Real Country, found at 92.7 fm and continue to visit the MD of Pincher Creek website at www.mdpinchercreek.ab.ca for further updates, including important links related to the Sage Creek Fire, and air quality information.

MD of Pincher Creek Emergency Information Line 1 855 627 5365

RCMP Major Crimes South investigating death of 2-year-old

RCMP Alberta - RCMP Major Crimes are investigating the death of a two year old girl who was taken to hospital on August 2 with serious injuries. The Cardston RCMP were notified of this situation on August 3, 2018 and launched an investigation. On August 6, the young girl died in the hospital as a result of her injuries. On August 7 an autopsy was completed at the Calgary Medical Examiner’s office. The RCMP are working with several agencies as the investigation continues.

An update will be provided when available.

Precautionary air quality advisory issued for Alberta

AHS South Zone – Air quality is expected to be variable across Alberta over the coming days due to wildfire smoke.  Alberta Health Services (AHS) is issuing a precautionary air quality advisory for the entire province because of these fires.  Residents of and visitors to Alberta are advised to be aware of air conditions and take precautions against potential health concerns that can be associated with smoky air conditions.

Pincher Creek RCMP and Southern Alberta CRT seize stolen property / firearms and cocaine

Pincher Creek RCMP  – The Pincher Creek RCMP worked in conjunction with the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Team (CRT) to target and investigate activities at a rural residence believed to be involved in drug trafficking, and harboring stolen property. The investigation was successful, arrests were made and charges laid.