Waterton fire evacuation alert and fire ban lifted, area closures remain
Rain and cooler weather helping with fire in neighbouring Glacier park
An evacuation alert for the townsite in Waterton Lakes National Park and a park-wide fire ban have been lifted, but some area closures remain in effect.
The alert was issued early Saturday morning, notifying residents and campers to be ready to move with an hour's notice due to a forest fire on the west side of Upper Waterton Lake — near Goat Haunt, Montana in Glacier National Park.
Parks Canada is working with the U.S. National Park Service to manage the fire, which is still approximately 10 hectares in size.
Fire crews and three helicopters are working to contain the blaze.
Cooler temperatures, some precipitation and lighter winds continue to help crews.
The area closures cover:
- Lakeshore trail from the townsite to Boundary Bay
- Bertha Lake trail
- Alderson Lake trail (from the townsite trailhead)
- Carthew-Alderson trail (from Summit Lake via Carthew Lakes to Alderson Lake)
- Boundary Creek trail, and Summit Lake trail
- Pass Creek day use area
Bertha Lake, Summit Lake and Carthew-Alderson trails will reopen on Monday, August 17.