No evacuation, no out-of-control wildfires: Banff, Alta. urges residents and tourists to take precautions
Thousands of Albertans and tourists are expected to visit the town of Banff for a getaway this Heritage Day long weekend, but a picturesque view of the mountains will likely be hidden behind thick layers of smoke.
However, despite the haze, officials there are no active, out-of-control wildfires threatening the community and no one has been put on evacuation alert.
The smoke is coming mainly from British Columbia, where 240 wildfires are actively burning. Thirty-six are out-of-control and the majority of them are located in the southern interior of the province.
Although there are no out-of-control wildfires burning in southern Alberta, the Town of Banff isn’t taking any chances as rain is not expected in the forecast any time soon. That fact has pushed the wildfire risk to its maximum level.
“We’ve been in an extreme fire hazard for a number of weeks now, we haven’t had a lot of precipitation and with the hot-dry weather we’re obviously very concerned about the condition of the forest,” said Banff Fire Chief Silvio Adamo.
It’s why the town is now dropping off evacuation safety guides and urging residents to be take precautions such as having a go-bag ready filled with basic necessities, medications, and important documents.
“Certainly, we’ve put a lot of time and effort into preparing for evacuation and our number on priority is always getting people out of harm’s way,” Adamo said.
“We continue to update and engage our community on being prepared so that means understanding the risk, signing up for our emergency alert system and making sure that people have a plan.”
Some Banff community members are doing all they can to prevent wildfires. Chris Worobets, who is a FireSmart champion, participated in a an assessment of a forested area near his home.
He says a plan was developed to cut down branches of trees that are anywhere from about 10 metres to 30 metres away from a set of condos.
“We’ve been thinning the trees to increase the spacing and reduce the fuel loads and hopefully reduce the transmission of fire if it should come from outside of our property,” Worobets said.
“The whole idea of FireSmart is to try and keep fire away from flammable buildings and there are studies that these types of measures could help people survive a fire without any intervention from fire crews.”
Most of the province of Alberta is under some kind of campfire restrictions at the moment due to an extreme risk of fire.
Fire information officers in British Columbia are also warning tourists in Alberta to take precautions.
Jean Strong with the B.C. Wildfire Services says everyone should be aware of fire bans and properly dispose of all smoking materials as five per cent of fires in British Columbia were started by people.
“We’re still coming off an early spring and summer that was hot and dry, we say that heat dome and those drought conditions and we are expecting yet another heat wave in British Columbia this weekend,”
“We’re really warning people to be as cautious as possible; it might not be a good idea to head out to the back country and for everyone to always be aware of their surroundings.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.