Kenow fire still large, but now classified as “held”
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WATERTON LAKES NP – After two weeks of evacuation alerts and orders, destruction of homes and property, then finally a change in the weather, the Kenow fire for the first time is classifed as “being held.”
That means, while it’s still 38,100 hectares, it’s not getting any bigger. Parks Canada officials say fire activity is now predominantly on the perimeters, and at localized hotspots where pockets of unburned fuel remains.
There are still areas burning that are visible to the public, especially at night, but firefighters are on scene attending to those areas as needed.
Waterton Townsite
Residents, business owners and leasholders of Waterton Lakes National Park can go home in a phased re-entry plan today (Sept. 19), for the first time since they were ordered out of their homes about 10 days ago. At this point no one else is allowed in the park. Only those people contacted by Parks Canada will be allowed in.
Chief Mountain Hwy also remains closed to the general public for the time being.
South Castle
Parks Canada says the fire in the Castle area is still 221 hectares, but isn’t getting any bigger either. Both air tankers and helicopters are still dumping water on the blaze, as weather conditions allow.
