Wildfire season is here. Are you FireSmart?

Sept. 8 Kenow Fire Situation Update at Twin Butte Hall

Chris Davis - The Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 hosted a community meeting at Twin Butte Hall yesterday evening, September 8. All members of the MD council were in attendance, as was Cardston County Reeve Jim Bester. MD CAO Wendy Kay moderated the event, which included statements by a number of first responders and wildfire experts, Pincher Creek Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox, Shell Waterton Community Liaison Kristen Schmidt, and RCMP members. That was followed by a lengthy Q&A session with concerned citizens. The hall was packed, with over 130 people in attendance, based on a rough estimate. Earlier in the day a mandatory evacuation of Waterton Lakes National Park was effected.

• The MD of Pincher Creek will be hosting a similar community meeting at Coalfields School in Beaver Mines on Monday, September 11, starting at 7:00 pm. 

While the meeting was underway Parks Canada also announced that with the help of the RCMP all residents and non-essential personnel have been evacuated from the park, and the Waterton townsite has been secured. Weather conditions are expected to increase fire behaviour over the weekend, triggering the conditions previously established for evacuating residents and tourists from the park. At the time of the Parks Canada press release the fire was estimated to have grown to approximately 7,800 hectares in size.

Highway 3 west of Burmis, September 7

A special air quality statement issued by Environment Canada remains in effect at the time this was written.

According to a Government of Alberta press release, "The fire hazard across much of southern Alberta is extreme. A fire weather advisory for southern Alberta has been issued. If a wildfire does occur, conditions may cause rapid spread, making it difficult for firefighters to contain the wildfire quickly. Agriculture and Forestry has 764 firefighters, 104 helicopters, 75 pieces of heavy equipment, and 16 air tankers available to respond to wildfires across the province." According to Parks Canada, current or incoming resources at Waterton Lakes National park include "six fire crews, seven helicopters, a National Incident Management team, high volume pumps, hoses and sprinkler kits and a specialized structural fire protection team. Additional resources are on call if needed." According to a City of Calgary press release issued yesterday, "In addition to deploying an advance party to coordinate with Parks Canada personnel, Calgary Fire Department is also deploying approximately 16 members, two mechanics and three apparatus: two aerials and a sterling engine."

Fire bans are still in effect for the Town of Pincher Creek, Piikani Nation, the M.D. of Pincher Creek No. 9, Hill Spring, Glenwood, Cardston, County of Cardston, Fort Macleod, and Crowsnest Pass.

Forest Area Closure map (Alberta Government)

Forestry area closures are still in effect for the Calgary Forest Area, south of Highway 532 to the US border and west to the BC border, and Alberta Fire Control Zones 1, 2, and 3. Highway 532 is just north of Chain Lakes and intersects with Highway 22. Highway 22 and Highway 3 remain open for traffic. A Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in effect for the rest of the Calgary Forest Area. The Forest Area Closure will remain in effect until conditions improve.

If you're found to be carrying on any unauthorized activity or operating any equipment within the forest closure area you may be subject to a fine of $287 to $575. If you're found responsible for interfering with wildfire operations you face a mandatory court appearance.

Castle Wildland Provincial Park remains closed.

All evacuees are asked to register at the Reception and Evacuation Centre located at Pincher Creek's Vertical Church (1200 Ken Thornton Blvd., located just south of Co-op and Vista Village), even if you do not require assistance. Registering will provide a record that you were evacuated and enable authorities to contact you with any new information. You can register by email to mdinfo@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca (put in subject line: "Evac Registration") or by phoning 403-904-0021. Please provide name, number in party and contact phone number. A few evacuees took shelter in the church last night.

Wildfire Alberta Fire Weather Index for September 8, 2017

Alberta Fire Behaviour Advisory

Issued September 8, 2017 for September 9, 2017 by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Wildfire Management Branch, Forestry Division

The Calgary Forest Area, and in particular, the Crow region south of Calgary will experience strong winds again today as a second cold front passage from the one yesterday followed by an approaching upper trough moves across the Province. Winds of 50 km/hr sustained with gusts to 70 km/hr are forecast. These winds coupled with expected crossover conditions and the current FWI values in the Crow region will create very high ISI values again for the Calgary Forest Area.

Very easy burning conditions are prevalent all across the Calgary Forest area as an extended lack of precipitation and warm dry weather have elevated all fire weather indices to extreme, and in some cases, record setting levels. Smoke from forest fires elsewhere has been shading the area for several days causing a reduction in temperatures and increase in observed humidity. This is an artificial cap on true fire behaviour potential and poses the danger that once the smoke moves off, the underlying forest fire potential is quickly exposed. The fire danger in the Calgary Forest Area remains at extreme until actual rain is received in amounts to significantly lower the Duff Moisture Code and Drought Code and in turn, the derivative Build Up Index. Smoky days or days with higher humidity have the effect of supressing fire behaviour, but this is a short-lived cap on fire behaviour potential, one that can lift quickly with small changes in wind or atmospheric stability. When the conditions that cause the smoke or humidity increase wear off, fire behaviour can change quickly, often within a single burning period. This can create a significant safety risk to ground personell who may not be aware of the changing conditions or associated fire potential. The Calgary Forest Area, and in particular, the Crow region of that Forest Area remain under the threat of fast moving, very intense forest fire with moderate to long-range spot fire development.

The forecasted winds hold the potential to cause very intense, fast-moving forest fire, especially under these current extremely dry fire weather index levels. Conditions can change very quickly and safety awareness is needed at all times.

Elsewhere in the Province, precipitiation and higher humidities have brought fire danger relief to most locations. High Drought Codes still persist across most of northern Alberta but Duff Moisture Code and Fine Fuel Moisture Code relief will moderate fire occurrence and fire behaviour.

Resource linkstorm:

Report a wildfire to 310-FIRE (3473)

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Canada app

Alberta Health Services air quality reports

Alberta highway conditions

AlbertaParks.ca

Wildfire.Alberta.ca

Alberta Wildfire mobile app

Alberta Wildfire status map

British Columbia active wildfires map

Canada wildfire map

U.S.A. wildfire map

Alberta Emergency Alert

Alberta Emergency Alert Twitter @AB_EmergAlert , free smartphone app available

Emergency Alberta.ca

Emergency preparedness guide

Parks Canada fire information

Pincher Creek Health Centre

Smoke and air quality alerts

MD of Pincher Creek:

MD of Pincher Creek email mdinfo@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca

MD of Pincher Creek phone 403-904-0021

@md_of_pc on Twitter

Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission earns national accreditation

Chris Davis - On September 1 the Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission (PCESC) received official notice from Accreditation Canada that the commission has earned its accreditation. "We congratulate you on this achievement that demonstrates your organization's determination and commitment to ongoing quality improvement," said Accreditation Canada Account Manager Jessica Peters in a letter to the commission.  "We applaud you leadership, staff and accreditation team members for their efforts and dedication to the provision of safe, quality health services.

Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission hosts FireSmart open houses, releases mitigation strategy

Chris Davis - The Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission (PCESC) sponsored a series of open houses mid-March at Lundbreck, Beaver Mines, Twin Butte, the town of Pincher Creek, and at Heritage Acres. The events featured presentations from Alberta FireSmart representatives and also served as a way to inform the public about the recently released Pincher Creek Wildfire Mitigation Strategy (WFMS), which assesses the wildfire risk throughout the Pincher Creek area. Wildfire season in Alberta officially began on March 1.  Related, the Alberta Government recently announced new wildfire protection regulations, which came into force March 31.  They include stiffer penalties for a multitude of infractions.

New wildfire risk assessment and mitigation report released for Pincher Creek

Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission - The Pincher Creek Wildfire Mitigation Strategy assesses the risk throughout the region where wildlands meet agricultural and residential development, including the towns, villages, and tourist developments in the area.

Although the land is damp right now, wildfire season isn’t far away – and in years without a lot of snow, the risk is ever present. That’s why when Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission (PCESC) Chief Dave Cox jumped at the opportunity to make the region a little more FireSmart through a grant offered by the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta.

Town and MD agree to joint Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission

Back row (l-r): Deputy Reeve Terry Yagos, Town Councillor Lorne Jackson, MD Councillor Garry Marchuk, Town Councillors Doug Thornton and Jim Litkowski, MD Councillor Fred Schoening, Town Councillor Mark Barber

Front row: Mayor Don Anderberg, Reeve Brian Hammond

C. Davis photo

Christian Davis - Councils for the Town of Pincher Creek and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 (MD) today announced they have reached  an agreement "to jointly provide fire and ambulance services through the Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission" and that disaster management services "will be jointly provided by the newly formed Pincher Creek Emergency Management Organization".

The announcement closes an uncertain chapter in emergency management for the greater Pincher Creek area, and opens a new chapter of cooperation between the two governing political entities.  The Village of Cowley is also covered by the new Pincher Creek Emergency Management Organization (PCEMO).  Pincher Station, Beaver Mines, and Lundbreck are also included as MD communities.

The announcement came this afternoon after two days of mediation held at Luigi's restaurant in Pincher Creek, which involved members of both councils, Town Mayor Don Anderberg, MD Reeve Brian Hammond, Town CAO Laurie Wilgosh, and MD CAO Wendy Kay.

In February of this year the Province approved mediation between the Town and the MD after disagreements arose between the two councils over the inclusion of the Pincher Creek Community Emergency Management Agency (PCCEMA) in the Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission.

"As we always have worked together, we are formalizing the agreement now," said Mayor Anderberg.  "I think we had a few issues around our Emergency Management Agency, and our Emergency Services Commission, and we got together for the last two days here and came together as both councils, with some facilitation, and came to an agreement that both communities are willing to work forward on, which includes the Village of Cowley."

"I think it's been a really good two days, and at the very least, we have learned a lot about each other, and our organizations."

Reeve Brian Hammond  said "I think this is a good example of councils from both jurisdictions willing to look at the bigger issues, and that's the interests of the broader community and coming to an agreement that will better serve and protect that group."

"I think we made a real breakthrough here."

"We have had some, I think you could say, some longer standing issues that we have come to a place (where) we can agree on a compromise, and it shows in my mind the good will of the representatives of both jurisdictions, to try and address the needs of the broader community and that's what we're here to do. I think we've been successful."

Mayor Anderberg added "The bottom line is the health, safety, and protection of all the citizens of our community, and the community of course is all our jurisdictions in the southwest corner here."

"I think it's a good basis to move forward on a bunch of other issues that we have, and we do have lots and we work together. Historically, we work together really, really well. This is a bit of a blip in the road. We'll work everything out, and the committee will be stronger for it. "

Said Mayor Anderberg "There's two things that happened here. One thing is that fire and ambulance will continue, will be in the commission, the commission will go ahead. The Emergency Management Agency is now going to be a separate committee again, or organization, and certainly the MD has their organization in place, the Town also has their organization in place. We're all going to come together and work together under one umbrella again." ... "To provide a joint service", added Reeve Hammond.

Mayor Anderberg said the Town and MD would have a meeting "as soon as possible" to discuss integration and "get that all official".

At their March 10 meeting, council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 approved the expenditure of up to $50,000 to cover hiring a consultant to train MD and Village of Cowley staff "to a suitable level in case an Emergency Control Centre needed to be activated, as well as developing an Emergency Management Plan".  According to MD CAO Wendy Kay, approximately 30 MD personnel have now been trained "on various levels of ICS protocols."

According to Reeve Hammond,  Kay will be the Director of the new Emergency Management Organization "in the interim".