Following the evacuation of Waterton Lakes National Park, federal, provincial and local officials continue to work together to provide up-to-date information to visitors and residents.

Current situation

• All residents and non-essential personnel have been safely evacuated and the townsite is secure. Admittance at the park gate is limited to essential personnel.
• Eighty-seven evacuees have registered with the MD of Pincher Creek.
• Waterton-area evacuees are encouraged to register, even if they do not need assistance, to allow authorities to contact them with any new information:
  • By phone: 403-904-0021
  • Email: mdinfo@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca (provide name, number of people and phone number)
• As the reception centre in Pincher Creek currently has no overnight occupants, evacuees needing accommodation or registration are asked to call 403-904-0021.
• The fire hazard across much of southern Alberta continues to be extreme.
• There are currently more than 700 firefighters, 90 helicopters and 55 pieces of heavy equipment as well as 16 airtankers available to respond to wildfires across Alberta.

Air quality

• Smoke has become very intense in the Waterton Lakes park area and visibility is low.

• Air-quality advisories remain in place.
• Information about the air quality in many areas of Alberta is updated hourly on the Alberta Environment Air Quality site.
• For hourly air-quality readings and daily forecasts, download the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Canada app.
• Be aware of air conditions and take precautions against potential health concerns associated with smoky air. Precautions are outlined at www.ahs.ca/air.

Provincial response

• The Government of Alberta continues to work with local and federal officials.
• An Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) mobile emergency vehicle is now located in Waterton and serving as an operations centre.
• In response to a request from the Cardston County Fire Department (responds to structural fires in Waterton Lake National Park), an ambulance medical unit has been dispatched to Waterton.
• Structural fire protection and resources are now in place in the Town of Waterton.

Travel

• The following highways are closed to the public, with the exception of permit holders, due to the current wildfire situation:
  • 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
• For up-to-date travel information across Alberta, please check 511 Alberta and “know before you go.”