Pincher Creek Emergency Services 2017 Awards

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Services held their  2017 awards event on Friday evening June 22 at the Pincher |Creek Fire Hall.  The Elks prepared a roast beef dinner for the first responders, administrative staff, family members, and dignitaries present for the event.  Chief David Cox and his wife Deputy Chief (retired) Margaret Cox were honoured for 20 years of service to PCES, and Margaret was also awarded for Exemplary Service, a provincial award and the top honour of the evening.

PCES members participate in Calgary Firefighter Stairclimb cancer fundraiser

Calgary Firefighter Stairclimb PCES participants: Joey McLeod, Nichole Boissoneault, Michael Whittington, Eleanor Maund-Stephens, Ian Campbell (official team photo from website)

Joey McLeod - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) members participated in the Calgary Firefighter Stairclimb on Sunday, April 29. The event included firefighters from all over North America, who climbed the stairs of Calgary's Bow tower, Western Canada's tallest building, in support of those living with cancer.  This is the second year PCES participated this event (2017 and 2018). Our team members were Eleanor Maund-Stephens (Team Captain), Joey McLeod, Nichole Boissoneault, Ian Campbell, and Michael Whittington.  Our team of five was able to raise $2,760. To date, the total amount raised by the event is $341,197. People may still donate to our team or to the event in general online (click here).

Siren test to signal the beginning of Emergency Preparedness Showcase

There will be a test of the emergency alert siren at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 8 from the Pincher Creek Fire Hall.  This test will also signify the start of the Emergency Preparedness Showcase event at the Pincher Creek Community Hall that runs from 2 to 7 pm.

Fire Advisory Notice issued for MD of Pincher Creek

Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 via albertafirebans.ca - With the loss of snow cover the cured vegetation has quickly become available to burn. The warm, dry weather means any fire start may spread, especially if there is wind.

Added to that, the ground is still soft limiting the ability to use equipment to fight a fire.

Use caution any operations. If a fire starts report it quickly.

We are issuing permits, but that may be limited due to weather conditions.

Remember, all burning requires a fire permit including fire pits.

Issued April 27, 2018.  Visit albertafirebans.ca for the most current information.

Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox asks for Pincher Creek Municipal Airport upgrades

File photo: Acting Landing Zone Officer Nichole Boissoneault January 2014 at Pincher Creek Municipal Airport

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) Chief David Cox made a presentation to council for the MD of Pincher Creek on April 10, and to council for the Town of Pincher Creek on April 23. Cox aired concerns related to Pincher Creek Municipal Airport (CZPC). The airport is owned by the MD.

"We would prefer a proactive rather than a reactive approach." - PCES Chief David Cox

Chief Cox asked MD council to consider an improved level of snow removal prioritization and a backup generator to keep the lights running during power outages. Cox expressed concern that the airport is sometimes listed officially as open for traffic when it's not, creating potentially dangerous situations.  "It's not discretionary to do that properly," he clarified during a follow-up interview.  He also suggested to MD council that it consider installing potable water as a potential asset for future growth.

MD of Pincher Creek's fire suppression costs surged in 2017

Chris Davis - At their November 28 meeting council for the MD of Pincher Creek approved a recommendation by Director of Finance Janene Felker that a transfer of $40,000 from the Mill Rate Stabilization Reserve be approved to cover a 2017 over-expenditure on fire costs. According to Felker, "Due to the extremely dry and hot summer, there were a number of fires that took place within the MD and the account associated with these fire suppression cost is over budget for 2017."

Semi rollover on Highway 3 east of Cowley

Updated November 20, 12:19 am

C.Davis/T. Lucas - High winds pummeled the Pincher Creek area yesterday. Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) and RCMP responded to a tractor-trailer rollover on Highway 3 just east of Cowley yesterday afternoon around 2:00 pm. According to PCES Deputy Chief Pat Neumann the semi was carrying a light load, and the driver sustained minor injuries.  Multiple other incidents involving blown-over trailers big and small were reported throughout southwestern Alberta.

According to an Environment Canada wind warning issued for the area at 3:45 pm yesterday, "Strong westerly winds with damaging gusts near 120 km/h will continue in the Crowsnest Pass and Cardston regions until late tonight. Wind gusts of 100 km/h will move into the Lethbridge region this evening and then weaken overnight. Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds. Drivers may lose control of their vehicles; tall vehicles are at risk of being overturned."

According to a Castle Mountain Resort representative Jason Crawford "We had a peak gust of 182 km/h at 8:52 am on November 19th. That was recorded at ridge-top."

TransAlta reports 140 km/hour was recorded at Cowley Ridge. This may not have been the peak activity there.

The high winds have dissipated since then.

The Fire Department was also called out multiple times on Friday by citizens south of town, due to be high flare activity at the Shell Plant (a normal part of the plant's process). Neumann said the fire department would rather people call in their concerns than miss an incident.

House fire in Pincher Creek

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) responded to a house fire on Canon Street in Pincher Creek, at a location adjacent to the Pincher Creek and facing Highway 6. According to PCES Chief Dave Cox, the call came in at approximately 1:30 am from someone inside the house. The home was evacuated before PCES arrived. There were no injuries, but damage to the home is extensive. The fire is currently under investigation, however no foul pay is currently suspected. As of 9:40 am PCES remains on scene monitoring the situation.

PCES Deputy Ambulance Chief Marg Cox retires

Marg Cox

Toni Lucas - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) Deputy Ambulance Chief Marg Cox has retired after 20 years of service in our area. She started working with the Beaver Mines Hall 20 years ago.  She was and is an advocate of better Advanced Life Support Skills (ALS) training for area first responders, and became the first paramedic in Pincher Creek. The PCES Deputy Ambulance Chief position which will now be assumed by Richard Claude.

September 12 updates: Southwestern Alberta wildfire evacuations

• Alberta Emergency Alerts (click here)
• Emergency Kit (click here) 
• Cardston County Mandatory Evacuation for selected areas (click here)

^ Video: On Tuesday evening September 12 a press conference/update was held at the Town of Pincher Creek council chambers about the wildfire situation. Participants included Waterton Lakes National Park Superintendent Ifan Thomas, Pincher Creek Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox, M.D. of Pincher Creek Reeve Brian Hammond, Town of Pincher Creek Mayor Don Anderberg, Cardson County Reeve Jim Bester, Alberta RCMP Information Officer Curtis Peters, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Incident Commander Scott Elliot, and Alberta Emergency Management Agency Managing Director Shane Schreiber, and several others who contributed as well.

• Shell Canada shuts some gas operations due to Alberta wildfire (external link)
• Offer of help: An offer to assist with livestock and other concerns in the event of further evacuations has been extended by a group located north of Castor Alberta.  Call 780-385-1817 for more information.

Alberta Government situation update at 9:30 pm:

• The Kenow wildfire currently covers approximately 33,000 hectares in Alberta, with a total size of approximately 42,000 hectares. A mandatory evacuation order was issued on Sept. 11 at 10:15 p.m. for a section of the Municipal District of Pincher Creek from Highway 505 South to Waterton Lakes National Park and Castle Mountain Resort. An estimated 150 residences have been affected. A reception centre has been set up at the Vertical Church at 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd. in Pincher Creek. Residents leaving their community should go to the reception centre or call 403-904-8016 to register.
• A mandatory evacuation was issued on Sept. 11 at 11:44 p.m. for the area of Cardston County between Waterton Lakes National Park and Hwy 800 from the U.S. border north to Twp Rd 40. More than 50 homes have been affected. A reception centre is located at 1050 Main Street in the Town of Cardston. Residents who are leaving and need accommodation should call 403-653-4977.
• A mandatory evacuation was issued on Sept. 12 for areas of the Blood Tribe in Zone 1, including Fish Creek, St. Paul’s area extending north to Russell and Many Fingers residences. An evacuation advisory has been issued for Zone 3, including north of Russell and Many Fingers residences extending to Lavern and little Chicago area. An estimated 180 people have been affected. A reception centre has been set up in the Standoff multipurpose building and residents are asked to register at the multipurpose building even if they do not intend to stay there.
• Approximately 500 people are under a mandatory evacuation order from their homes in Waterton townsite, parts of Cardston Country, parts of the MD of Pincher Creek and parts of the Blood Reserve.
• In the town of Waterton, roughly 60 structural firefighters from neighbouring municipalities, including the City of Calgary, are working to protect the structures within the perimeter of the town. Unfortunately structures outside the perimeter have been lost, including the Visitor Centre and several out buildings.
• Crews are working hard to protect houses and other structures there and our latest information is that they have been successful.
• Firefighters working within Waterton were relieved Tuesday, Sept. 12 by a second team coming in and will continue their work with 17 fire trucks on site.
• Within the park itself, there are roughly 135 firefighters, nine Alberta air tankers and 14 helicopters.
• Alberta Forestry has an additional 125 firefighters and 23 helicopters on standby, waiting for direction from the incident command team.
• The Kenow wildfire has spread outside Waterton Lakes National Park into Cardston County and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek. 
• High winds, high temperatures and low humidity continue and intense fire behaviour is anticipated.
• The Office of the Fire Commissioner coordinated additional resources that were brought in Tues. Sept. 12 to replenish and supplement firefighting efforts from Coalhurst, Didsbury, Milk River, Olds, Ponoka and fire protection companies.
• Other information from this update was the same as reported earlier in this thread.

Excerpts from September 12 evening press conference in Pincher Creek:

• Regarding Glenwood and Hillspring - "Currently the two villages are not in the evacuation zone, and we can't tell till tomorrow where the wind's taking it, but we're very hopeful... Tomorrow morning, I can give you a better answer than that.  We are not out of the woods yet." - Cardston County Reeve Jim Bester   
• I want to appeal to the citizens of our county, and our neighbouring counties and MDs here... We ask you to cooperate with us.  Stay out of the (way).  No more rubbernecking.  Stay out of the areas that can cause more harm to other people.  - Cardston County Reeve Jim Bester
• We don't know just exactly how it's going to end yet, but it's going to end okay." - Cardston County Reeve Jim Bester
• "On September 11, the Kenow wildfire demonstrated extraordinary fire behaviour. The fire advanced significantly throughout the night, which presented limited options for fire management. Unified Command was well prepared for the forecasted fire behaviour throughout the night. Structural fire crews remained in the townsite to protect the facilities. Extensive fire protection measures were effective in safeguarding the majority of infrastructure located in the community, and the Prince of Wales Hotel." 
• "Every indication is that in the townsite, the townsite is intact." - Waterton Lakes National Park Superintendent Ifan Thomas
• "The fire is out of control. It is still 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." - Government of Alberta Wildfire Information Officer Leslie Lozinski
• "The fire was more aggressive Monday September 11 due to high winds, low relative humidity, and warmer temperatures. "We didn't experience the aggressive fire behavior that we experienced yesterday. 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 hope it's going to stay that way, overnight." - Government of Alberta Wildfire Information Officer Leslie Lozinski

Update from Parks Canada issued at 7:36 this evening:

Please see the (above) updated map of the Kenow Wildfire. There have been no significant development to report in addition to the information provided today. At this time, the majority of the townsite appears to be intact. An update will follow tomorrow.

Parks Canada understands that this is a very difficult situation and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the fire. The safety of residents, staff and fire crews and the protection of infrastructure in the community of Waterton are Parks Canada's priorities.

^ Video of this afternoon's press conference at the MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 administration building with Reeve Brian Hammond, Mayor Don Anderberg, and various other officials and representatives.

Statement from Town of Pincher Creek Mayor Don Anderberg, September 12, 2017, 4:22 pm - The Town of Pincher Creek is NOT in a state of local emergency. Our neighbors the Municipality (MD) of Pincher Creek #9 and Waterton have declared a state of local emergency. The Town of Pincher Creek are part of a joint emergency management agency and have provided personnel to both the Emergency Operations Centre and the Reception Centre. The Town of Pincher Creek will actively continue to participate as needed.

Due to the fluid nature of the wildfire event the Town of Pincher Creek and the Emergency Management Agency have actively been working on an evacuation plan. This plan would impact Town of Pincher Creek residents as well as those who have been displaced from the MD of Pincher Creek and Waterton.

We will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, the Town of Pincher Creek is not in immediate danger. If circumstances dictate, we may have to declare a state of local emergency.

September 12 evening updates:

• Recommendations for horse owners preparing for possibility of evacuation (click here).
• While the generosity of Albertans is appreciated, please refrain from making Alberta Fire donations until requested by local municipalities. - Government of Alberta
• Update: The Nanton Fire Dept. has had an overwhelming response to their request for donations of water, Gatorade, non-perishable snacks for Firefighters responding to the Kenow fire. They're fully stocked and ready to go and no more donations are requested.

Government of Alberta update (issued at 3:39 pm):

• The Blood Tribe, Cardston County and Municipal District of Pincher Creek have declared local states of emergency in response to southern Alberta wildfire conditions.
• Overnight the fire grew by 50 per cent to roughly 20,000 hectares. A mandatory evacuation was issued on Sept. 11 at 10:15 p.m. for a section of the Municipal District of Pincher Creek from South Highway 505 to Waterton Lakes National Park and Castle Mountain Resort. An estimated 150 residences have been affected.
• A reception centre has been set up at the Vertical Church at 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd. in Pincher Creek. Residents evacuating should go to the reception centre or call 403-904-8016 to register.'
• A mandatory evacuation was issued on Sept. 11 at 11:44 p.m. for the area of Cardston County between Waterton Lakes National Park and Hwy 800 from the U.S. border north to Twp Rd 40. More than 50 homes have been affected. Residents who are leaving and need accommodation should call 403-653-4977.
• A mandatory evacuation was issued on Sept. 12 for areas of the Blood Tribe in Zone 1, including Fish Creek, St. Paul’s area extending north to Russell and Many Fingers residences. An evacuation advisory has been issued for Zone 3, including north of Russell and Many Fingers residences extending to Lavern and little Chicago area. An estimated 180 people have been affected. A reception centre has been set up in the Standoff multipurpose building, and residents are asked to register at the multipurpose building even if they do not intend to stay there.
• Approximately 500 people are under a mandatory evacuation order from their homes in Waterton townsite, parts of Cardston Country, parts of the MD of Pincher Creek and parts of the Blood Reserve.
• In the town of Waterton, roughly 60 structural firefighters from neighbouring municipalities, including the City of Calgary, are working to protect the structures within the perimeter of the town. Unfortunately structures outside the perimeter have been lost, including the Visitor Centre and several out buildings.
• Crews are working hard to protect houses and other structures there and our latest information is that they have been successful.
• Firefighters working within Waterton will be relieved today by a second team coming in and will continue their work with 17 fire trucks on site.
• Within the park itself, there are roughly 135 firefighters, nine Alberta airtankers and 14 helicopters.
• Alberta Forestry has an additional 125 firefighters and 23 helicopters on standby, waiting for direction from the incident command team.
• The Kenow wildfire has spread outside Waterton Lakes National Park into Cardston County and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek. 
• High winds, high temperatures and low humidity are forecast for Tuesday, Sept. 12, and intense fire behaviour continues to be anticipated.
• Structural protection units and resources are in place in the Waterton townsite and have worked through the night providing protection.
• The Office of the Fire Commissioner is coordinating additional resources to be brought in today to replenish and supplement firefighting efforts from Coalhurst, Didsbury, Milk River, Olds, Ponoka and fire protection companies.
• Payne Lake Provincial Recreation Area, 25 km west of Cardston, has been closed (new).  A complete list of park closures is available at www.emergency.alberta.ca.

The following highways are closed to the public due to the current wildfire situation:

• Highway 5 east of Waterton Lakes National Park to west of Cardston
• Highway 6 north of Waterton Lakes National Park to Twin Butte

The following highways within Waterton Lakes National Park are closed to the public due to the current wildfire situation:

• Highway 5
• Highway 6
• Chief Mountain border crossing

The following highways are closed to the public, with the exception of permit holders, due to the current wildfire situation:

• 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

Check 511 Alberta for up-to-date travel information.

Resources:

• Emergency.Alberta.ca
• Alberta Emergency Alert app
• Alberta Wildfire app
• Emergency preparedness

Map of estimated extent of wildfire at 3:30 am this morning.

Afternoon updates:

• Exhibition Park Lethbridge South Pioneer Park is open and available to help MD of Pincher Creek #9, Blood Indian Reserve No. 148, and Cardston County emergency evacuees looking for free RV parking. Free power and water provided.  Grass areas available. Animals welcome, please bring corral.  To reserve space please contact Bridget Mearns 403-393-3344. Click here for more information.
• All staff and residents have safely been evacuated from Castle Mountain Resort. - Castle Mountain Resort

Parks Canada update issued at 11:30 am:

The Kenow Fire firmly established itself in Waterton Lakes National Park yesterday afternoon. Adjacent municipalities were alerted that the fire was moving. The wildfire demonstrated extreme fire behaviour for many hours due to high winds and critically dry fuels.

Burning intensified and the fire moved northeast down the Cameron Valley along the Akamina Parkway. Later in the evening, fire became visible from the townsite and then on the north side of Crandell Mountain. The fire began to move north at a high rate of spread through the grasslands along the park’s Entrance Road.

At this time, the majority of the townsite appears to be intact. Extensive fire protection measures were effective in safeguarding the majority of infrastructure and facilities within the community and at the Prince of Wales hotel. Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the night to extinguish spot fires, monitor sprinkler protection, and protect facilities. High volume pumps and sprinkler systems, in combination with planning and fuel management done in previous years, ensured the townsite perimetre held. We expect extremely dry conditions will influence fire behaviour throughout the burning period today. Additional resources have been dispatched to assist. We are expecting a downturn in weather over the next 24 hours.

Overnight, the fire moved north out of the park and into adjacent lands. Affected municipalities and local fire departments are managing those fires outside of the national park and forest protection area. Local evacuation orders are in effect. Parks Canada staff assisted RCMP with the evacuation of residents adjacent to the park.

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. Elsewhere in the park infrastructure has been compromised. The unified team is assessing conditions on the ground today and will provide updated information as soon as possible.

The fire crossed into the Forest Protection Area in the Castle drainage area and is moving upslope and not towards values at risk at this time. Airtankers and helicopters are working on this area of the fire, supported by heavy equipment group that is establishing predetermined containment lines to act as fire breaks.

Parks Canada understands that this is a very difficult situation and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the fire. The safety of residents, staff and fire crews and the protection of infrastructure in the community of Waterton are Parks Canada's priorities.

Earlier updates:

9:12 am: The TOWN of Pincher Creek is NOT on evacuation notice, evacuation notices at this time are for the MD of Pincher Creek only.

8:14 am: Fortis Alberta reports "We have some customers out in southern Alberta due to the fires. Our crews will re-enter when the fire subsides and it is safe." If you see a downed power line, stay at least 10 metres away and call Fortis at 310-WIRE.

Castle Mountain area: A Mandatory Evacuation Notice is being issued to the residents south of Highway 505 AND Castle Mountain Resort Residents of this area should leave the area.A reception center has been activated at the Vertical Church, located at 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd. in the town of Pincher Creek. Residents should register at the reception center or call 403-904-8016.

MD of Pincher Creek residents South Highway 505 to Waterton Park and Castle Mountain Resort have been ordered to evacuate. A State of Local Emergency has been issued for the entire MD. A reception center has been activated at the Vertical Church, located at 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd. Residents should register at the reception center or call 403-904-8016. Approximately 150 residences were evacuated. 115 residents have registered at the reception center, and 40 residents registered by phone.

At 4:20 am the MD of Pincher Creek said RCMP has closed Highway 6 south from Highway 505 and were securing the area. At that time the fire was burning within Township 2, Range 29 and was heading NE along the MD boundary. The response includes 11 personnel, 2 engines, 1 tender and a command unit, according to the MD's 4:20 am report. Pincher Creek Emergency Services is continuing to assess the situation and has unified command with Alberta Agricultural and Forestry.

The Pincher Creek Humane Society (PCHS)/SPCA is supplying the evacuation centre with kennels,blankets etc. and is establishing a list of temporary foster homes and also a temporary facility to house animals. Please contact 403-632-9760 for assistance. They are asking for additional kennels that can be donated or loaned to PCHS for the duration of the situation. The MD of Pincher Creek is making arrangements with Country Vets and the Humane Society to take small pets.

Cardston County declared a State of Local Emergency and ordered the evacuation of all residents of all areas between Waterton Park and Range Road 281 (Highway 800) from the U.S border north to Township Road 40. The order was issued at 11:44 pm, September 11. An Evaluation Centre is located at the Town of Cardston Civic Center (67 - 3rd Ave West).

Blood Reserve Zone 1 was ordered evacuated at 4:57 am today, September 12. The evacuation area includes the Fish Creek, St. Paul apartments north to Russell, and Many Fingers homes. Residents in Zone 3 (north of Russell, Many Fingers residences extending to Lavern and little Chicago area) should prepare to evacuate on short notice. Evacuees are directed to go to the Standoff multipurpose building and register. Contact the Blood Tribe Police if you have transportation concerns.

• Get the Alberta Emergency Alert app:  www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca

UPDATED EVACUATION MAP for Division 1 of the MD of Pincher Creek

Jared Pierson photo

Statement by Minister Goodale on the first Firefighters’ National Memorial Day

Pincher Creek Emergency Service fights a fire (file photo)

Public Safety Canada, September 10, 2017 - Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, made the following statement about the first Firefighters’ National Memorial Day.  “I am honored to commemorate the brave and selfless firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice as we mark the first official Firefighters’ National Memorial Day.  While most people do their best to get out of harm's way when there’s a fire, firefighters run directly into it. They do that with the full knowledge of what could happen. And when tragedy strikes, the grief felt by a firefighter's family and colleagues is shared by the whole country. On Firefighters National Memorial Day, we all come together to remember and mourn, to support one another and to celebrate those wonderful lives. The symbolic half-masting of national flags on all federal buildings will inspire Canadians to pause in remembrance of the firefighters in their communities and across the country who have fallen while serving their fellow citizens.

PCES responds to two fires

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Service (PCES) responded to two fires southeast of Pincher Creek  near Highway 507 on Range Road  29-1 yesterday evening, September 8.  The calls came within minutes of each other between 5:00 and 6:00 pm.  The fires were approximately five miles apart.  One small fire encroached on some buildings but the landowners contained and controlled the fire before PCES arrived and confirmed the fire was out. That fire appears to have been started by a mechanical spark in the course of regular agricultural activities.  PCES then responded to the second fire, which consumed approximately 30-40 acres of farm land.  "It had a pretty aggressive rate of spread, but we caught it," said PCES Chief Dave Cox.  Peigan Fire and Lethbridge Fire crews assisted PCES with that fire, the cause of which has not been determined.

Forest area closures public access permitting locations

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Wildfire Branch permit location at Pincher Creek Fire Hall

If anyone  believes that they need access to any of the public lands in Fire Zones 1, 2, and 3, which are currently under a Forest Area Closure order, limited access may be granted by permit at the following locations:

• Pincher Creek - Permits may also be obtained from the second floor of the Provincial Building, Room 242, 782 Main Street Main Street Pincher Creek, from 8:15 am to noon, and 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, daily.
• Blairmore Ranger Station - 11901 19 Ave., Blairmore, AB 
• Chain Lakes Provincial Park Administrative Building - Twp. Rd. 144A, Highway 22, Longview, AB 
• Calgary Fire Centre - 8660 Bearspaw Dam Rd. NW, Calgary, AB

Permit locations are staffed from 8:00 am to - 8:00 pm starting September 5 except where otherwise noted.

Forest area closures update

Forest Area Closure map (Alberta Government)

Chris Davis - Forestry area closures announced yesterday are still in effect for the Calgary Forest Area, south of Highway 532 to the US border and west to the BC border,  Alberta Fire Control Zones 1, 2, and 3, including Waterton Lakes National Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park. Highway 532 is just north of Chain Lakes and intersects with Highway 22. Highway 22 and Highway 3 remain open for traffic. Pincher Creek Emergency Services is conducting a risk appraisal at this time.  No evacuations have been ordered, but access to most affected areas is restricted to those with permits, with the exception of the communities of Hazell, Sentinel, Tecumseh, Coleman, Bushtown, Blairmore, Frank, Hillcrest Mines, Bellevue, and Burmis.  Click here for a list of locations to obtain an access permit. 

Encroaching fire results in Waterton Lakes National Park closures

Fire Weather Index September 3 and 4, 2017 from Alberta Wildfire

Update: An Evacuation Alert for Waterton Lakes National Park has been issued by Parks Canada. Click here for more information.

• Fire Protection Areas, access permits, and travel information
• Waterton Lakes National Park Fire Bans and area closures
• Castle Wildland Provincial Park is also closed (click here for full story)
• Parks Canada update at 6:52 pm September 4
• Update from PCES Chief Dave Cox
• Fire Bans in effect for southern Alberta
• Calgary Forest Area Advisory and map

PCES responds to another field fire

Toni Lucas - Pincher Creek Emergency Services was called to a field fire approximately two kilometres south of town east of Highway 6 on Thursday, August 24 at approximately 4:30 pm. The fire appears to have started due to equipment/mechanical reasons. Deputy Fire Chief Pat Neumann said the fire was extremely small, was doused quickly, and there were no injuries . "The farmers are prepared, and have equipment to deal with emergencies like that."

Agricultural fire northwest of Cowley

Updated

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) was called to the scene of a fire on agricultural land northwest of Cowley near Range Road 2-0A/Township Road 8-0 this afternoon at approximately 2:30 pm.

Fire bans continue, hot and dry harvest season sparking fires

Fire bans in effect for most of southern Alberta

Area fire chiefs want to remind residents that a Fire Ban is in effect for most of southern Alberta, due to above normal temperatures, forecasted to continue, which continue to create the potential for fire starts and extreme fire behavior. The above normal temperatures are forecasted to continue. If you have a fire start or see a fire call 911 immediately.  Fire bans are in effect for the Town of Pincher Creek, the MD of Pincher Creek, and Piikani First Nation. All fires are banned and fire pit permits are suspended until further notice.

"If you see something that looks like smoke right now, we would rather go and investigate and find it is just dust, than find out it is too late and we have a wildfire." - Peigan Fire Chief Floyd Provost

Aftermath of fire at Piikani Nation (Peigan Fire photos)

Stubble fire at Piikani Nation

Peigan Fire responded to a stubble fire that was reported to 911 at 5:22 pm on August 18. Fort Macleod Fire provided mutual aid and assistance. The fire was burning south of the Peigan CPR Crossing in Band Farmland. Fire crews were on-scene until just after 12:30 am August 19. According to Peigan Fire Chief Floyd Provost a harvester was swathing a crop when a spark was created from contact with a rock, igniting straw stubble. The fire burned eastward approximately half a kilometre to the reserve boundary fenceline pushed by a westerly wind; and then crossed the municipal boundary and burned approximately two kilometers into the MD of Willow Creek before being contained by the creek bottom there. The fire burned a total length of approximately 2.5 km, and was approximately 1 km at the widest point. A large number of local farmers assisted in containing the fire. RCMP from Fort Macleod and Peigan assisted with traffic control and notification of a possible evacuation. Crop land, pasture land, a hay field, and fence lines were lost to the fire. Fire units were instructed to protect the power transmission line in the immediate area.

"With the tinder dry conditions right now, everybody should be aware right now, and be cautious about fires," said Provost. "Safety is paramount." He encouraged people to not wait before calling 911 with smoke sightings right now. "If you see something that looks like smoke right now, we would rather go and investigate and find it is just dust, than find out it is too late and we have a wildfire.

"With harvest in full swing, a lot of farmers are being extra cautious," added Provost, including having a water truck nearby when working in the fields, or having equipment ready to make a fire perimeter if anything does spark up.

Smoke from this fire could be seen far east of Fort Macleod.

Bale fire at Pincher Creek Hutterite Colony

Bale fire at PC Hutterite Colony

Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) responded to a bale fire at the Pincher Creek Hutterite Colony on Sunday, August 20 at approximately 11:30 am.  The colony is located two miles west of Pincher Creek, just north of Highway 507.  Approximately one acre was affected, and approximately 30 straw bales were consumed.  The fire was largely under control by the time PCES arrived due to quick action from colony members.  "The Colony had actually put a guard around it with a disc (harrower), when we arrived," said PCES Chief Dave Cox.  PCES and the members of the colony worked together, breaking open bales and extinguishing the fire.  Cox explained that sparks caused by machinery or metal striking rock can easily turn into a blaze in the dry conditions we currently are experiencing.

For more information about fire bans in Alberta visit https://albertafirebans.ca

Grass fire near Oldman Dam

Updated

Toni Lucas - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) responded yesterday evening to a grass fire just west of Highway 785 near Township Road 72, south of the Oldman River Dam, in the MD of Pincher Creek north of the Town of Pincher Creek.

Accroding to PCES Chief Dave Cox the call came in 5:05 pm. "It burned up to the edge of the 785 pavement, but it didn't get across the road, probably due to the fact that the grass in the 785 right of way is still green enough it didn't act as fuel, to let it get across the road. It burned approximately 40 acres, give or take, we have not calculated the size yet."

Responding were Pincher Creek Fire and Emergency Services including Pincher Creek, Lundbreck Fire and Beaver Mines Fire, Peigan Fire, and Cowley Fire. Also assisting were MD of Pincher Creek water trucks along with individual businesses, local contractors, and local farming citizens helping with water trucks and other equipment.

There were no injuries, and no buildings or equipment were consumed by the fire. Chief Cox estimates between 40 to 50 bales were consumed on the ground. Primarily this affected one person's property and a ditch.

Chief Cox said the risk of fires is still quite high in the region. "As posted in the fire ban notice, everything is extremely dry, and you can get a fire start from pretty much any kind of normal operation, so you have to be careful."

Collision between car and motorcycle north of Waterton Park sends two to hospital

Toni Lucas - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) responded to a collision between a car and motorcycle on Highway 6 approximately three miles north of the Waterton Lakes National Park boundary line at noon on Sunday, August 13. Both the people who were on the motorcycle were transported to Pincher Creek Hospital with serious injuries. The occupants of the vehicle were unharmed. PCES responded to the incident with two ambulances, a command vehicle, and a rescue unit.