Wildfire-ravaged Waterton to reopen to some residents, business owners

WATERTON, Alta. — Parks Canada has informed some evacuees that they will be able to return to the Waterton Lakes National Park townsite starting Tuesday.

Everyone was forced out of the southwestern Alberta park 10 days ago when a powerful wildfire burning in British Columbia was poised breach its boundaries.

The fire tore through much of the tinder-dry park three days later and into some surrounding grassland, but fire crews were able to save the townsite.  

“Although the townsite was not impacted by the fire, the effects on the park are significant,” superintendent Ifan Thomas wrote in a letter to evacuees included in a re-entry package.

“With time, starting this spring, the park will largely restore itself. It continues to be the very special place it was before the fire, albeit with the landscape largely changed.”

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The first phase of re-entry is limited to residents, business owners and leaseholders and is to take place over a 24-hour period starting Tuesday morning, according to the re-entry booklet.

Two vehicles and four people will be allowed in for each property and everyone must check in at a reception centre. Parks Canada warned there may be delays and urged people to be patient.

The entire park other than the townsite remains closed for safety reasons.

The fire is still out of control and covers an estimated 380 square kilometres.

Parks Canada warned that those returning should not expect things to be business as usual.

“Services that you are used to, or rely on, may be limited for some time,” the booklet said. “You are advised to bring basic necessities to last for up to 14 days including food and drinking water.”

Utility company Fortis has restored power using generators, but there may still be intermittent outages, said Parks Canada spokeswoman Natalie Fay.

The agency is also warning that wildlife displaced by the fire may be wandering around the town looking for food. Some animals may be confused or injured and sightings should be reported to parks authorities.

Fay confirmed that wildlife died in the fire, which was so intense and fast moving that some animals weren’t able to get out on Monday night.

Parks Canada teams are euthanizing any animals they find with unsurvivable wounds.

“Of course ending an animal’s life is always a last resort for us. It’s not a decision that we take lightly,” Fay said.

Last week, Parks Canada was signalling that it may be weeks before the townsite reopened.

Fay said the agency wanted to temper people’s expectations until it could complete its assessment.

“Over the past week, our crews on the ground have been working very hard to clear hazards around the entry road such as downed trees,” she said.

“We were able to accomplish a lot and we are pleased that we’re able to return residents back to their homes.”

The fire’s spread last week prompted evacuations in parts of some surrounding communities, but as of Monday all orders had been lifted.

— By Lauren Krugel in Calgary

The Canadian Press