Headed west of Calgary this weekend? Here's what you need to know
Wildfires continue to rage in British Columbia, putting the province under a state of emergency, meaning Calgarians headed west this weekend will encounter smoke, fire bans and potential warnings.
A fire ban is in place in the Town of Banff and Banff National Park, with campfires and charcoal barbecues not allowed, but propane or gas fuel heat sources are exempt.
Violators could face hefty fines of $500 in the town site, which goes up to $25,000 in the park.
Further west, there are 275 wildfires burning across B.C., costing the province an estimate $196 million so far in what could potentially become the most expensive fire season in the province's history.
Alberta is sending support with 350 Edmonton soldiers headed to the Vernon, B.C. area, in the province's Interior region.
Firefighters from Mexico are also on the way to B.C.
Some popular destinations for Albertans are experiencing fires; a blaze at the shore of Mara Lake was threatening the town of Sicamous, B.C., but now appears flames are moving away from the town.
Select regions near Shuswap Lake are also under evacuation order.
In Alberta, the majority of fires burning are in the north and none are considered out of control, but officials say the risk here in the southwest continues to be very high.
The City of Calgary has lifted its fire ban.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.