Wildfire danger forces evacuation of Waterton Lakes National Park
WATERTON, Alta. — A popular national park in the southwestern corner of Alberta was under a mandatory evacuation order Friday because a forecasted shift in wind was expected to heighten the wildfire danger.
Waterton Lakes National Park said the order covered the townsite and all other areas of the park except for Highways 5 and 6 and the Chief Mountain border crossing into the United States.
“The safety of visitors to Waterton Lakes National Park, residents of Waterton, employees, fire crews and emergency responders is a top priority for Parks Canada,” the park said in a news release.
“A change in weather conditions has led to increased potential danger and hazards from the Kenow wildfire that necessitate the evacuation of the park.”