OTTAWA, Sept. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - The Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, today issued the following statement on the Kenow wildfire in Waterton Lakes National Park:
"Yesterday evening, despite best efforts, the Kenow wildfire continued to intensify and has burned extensively within Waterton Lakes National Park towards the townsite as well as outside park boundaries. The safety of residents, staff, and fire crews and the protection of infrastructure and the community of Waterton are Parks Canada's priority in responding to the Kenow wildfire. Parks Canada issued an Evacuation Order on September 8 for all areas in Waterton Lakes National Park and the park and townsite were successfully evacuated.
Parks Canada and fire management partners have put in place extensive fire protection measures to protect critical infrastructure, park resources, and in the townsite including high volume pump and sprinkler systems around the town. At this stage, these measures have been holding within the townsite.
Fire crews remain in place in the park and Parks Canada and its partners continue to make every effort to slow the advancement of the Kenow Fire and protect the townsite. All other personnel have been evacuated from the park and all fire crews have been accounted for and are safe.
Thank you to the fire crews, Parks Canada staff, provincial and local partners, and emergency management organizations from across the country who continue to work tirelessly to slow the progress of the wildfire and protect key infrastructure and resources.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents, businesses, and staff during this difficult time, as well as to the community members of Blood Tribe and municipal district of Pincher Creek and Cardston County who are impacted as this unprecedented fire spreads outside of the national park.
We continue to closely monitor the situation. For the most up to date information, please consult: www.parkscanada.ca/waterton-kenow-fire."
Associated Links
Waterton Lakes National Park – Kenow wildfire
SOURCE Parks Canada
Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 613-462-5473, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected]
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