🔥January Wildfires? Seriously.

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Sometimes, we have a lot to say in the intro. Today… not so much. But hey, at least we know when to keep it short.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Multiple wildfires sparked by warm temps and dry conditions.

• Reddit solves a Bow Valley mountain mystery. 

• Peyto Glacier is disappearing super fast. 

• Plus, cocktail-making class, chili night, pool league, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form

SEVEN WILDFIRES REPORTED IN JANUARY

What’s happening? We didn’t have January wildfires on our winter bingo card, but here we are. The fire hazard in Bow Valley, Kananaskis, and Stoney Nakoda has climbed to moderate, thanks to warm temps, dry conditions, and gusty winds.

Seven fires and counting. Firefighters have responded to seven wildfires since Jan. 1—five in just the past week. Two were extinguished on Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation lands, with others popping up near Highways 68 and 541.

Blame it on the dry spell. A lack of snow and rain has left dead grass and dry vegetation primed for ignition. Some fires have been linked to abandoned campfires and reckless burning—reminder: embers don’t put themselves out.

Chilly reinforcements incoming. A weekend cold snap and snow could finally take the fire risk down a notch. Until then, officials say to fully soak, stir, and soak again when putting out campfires. Fire season apparently doesn’t do off-seasons.

THE DIGEST

• 🖼️A couple spent three years admiring a mountain photo in their living room, only to realize they had no idea where it was. With a little help from Reddit, they finally got their answer—and a road trip plan. See the mystery peak and where to find it.

• 🧊Peyto Glacier in Banff National Park has retreated 450 meters since 2019, and researchers say it may not last the decade if current trends continue. Scientists are studying the glacier’s rapid changes while global efforts focus on monitoring and adapting to shrinking ice. Researchers warn of long-term water supply impacts.

• 🏞️Parks Canada has stopped grooming the Redearth Creek trail for cross-country skiing after reclassifying it to ATES Class 2, meaning some sections now have moderate avalanche risk. The trail remains open, but skiers heading to Shadow Lake Lodge should check conditions and be prepared for ungroomed, higher-risk terrain.

• 💡Banff’s Winter Carnival was the original SnowDays, running from 1917-1930 with ski-joring, ice palaces, and even ski jumping over Banff Avenue. As this year’s festival wraps up, take a digital tour of historic photos capturing the town’s winter past. See the vintage snapshots (they’re awesome).

• 🏆Fairmont Banff Springs just landed in Forbes for its award-winning spa and Canada’s best patio, according to Canada’s 100 Best.

FLUORIDE RETURNS TO CALGARY—WILL CANMORE AND BANFF FOLLOW?

What’s Happening? Calgary is bringing fluoride back to its water by March after a 2021 vote. The upgrades cost $28M, with $1M in annual maintenance.

The Great Fluoride Divide. Fluoride remains a hot topic. Some cities, like Montreal, have removed it, while research shows Calgary saw more severe childhood dental issues after 2011.

Canmore’s Take. Canmore has never fluoridated its water and won’t start now. “There are no upcoming consultations or debate,” said Caroline Hedin, Town of Canmore.

Banff’s Take. Banff isn’t budging either. “None recall any debates in Council about adding fluoride in the past 20+ years,” said Jason Darrah, Town of Banff.

The Bottom Line. Both towns source water from underground aquifers with naturally low fluoride levels—and for now, they’re sticking with that.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Chili Night. Every Wednesday is Community Chili Night. Enjoy your chili served with sourdough, cheese, and sour cream. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Wild Flour, Banff. $6 per bowl. 

• BYOB Book Club. Participate in an informal get-together of people who would like to talk about a book (or two) they have particularly enjoyed. 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Library or Zoom. Free. 

• Build Your Own Cocktail. Have a delicious Blackberry Gin Mule to get your creative juices flowing before your mixology journey begins as you make a classic sour cocktail with your choice of WLD spirit, WLD bitters, and citrus. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Wild Life Distillery. $65.

• Community Climate Conversations. Join for an evening of meaningful conversation about current events. Bring your questions, thoughts, and a desire to connect—they’ll provide the snacks and drinks! 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Biosphere Institute Office. Free. 

Thursday

• Prints on Pottery. Capture the hands or footprints of your little ones for the season of love and create memories you will cherish forever!  11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Crock-a-Doodle, Canmore. $20.   

• Poker Night. Come play Thursday night poker at the Canmore Legion with a fun group of regulars. Enjoy great eats from Avi's Kitchen and refreshing beverages. New players are welcome. 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Canmore Legion.

• National Theatre Live Stream. Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20 / $17 members / $10 youth. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 👩‍🍼Volunteer Baby Minders. Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy is looking for caring volunteers to lend a hand. If you love spending time with babies and want to support new mums, this is the perfect opportunity! Get in touch at [email protected]. 

• 👧🏻👦Children’s Programs at The Whyte. The Whyte Museum is offering new 60-minute programs for kids starting in February. 

• 🎱Pool League. Hosted at multiple venues around Banff, this is your chance to meet new people, have a blast, and enjoy some friendly competition every Monday night. Register here.

• 🧘🏻‍♀️Flow State’s Online Studio is Back. The online studio has been on a little hiatus, but Flow State is excited to announce that it’s back with some fresh new classes dropping on February 1st.

• 🎉Folk Fest Warm Up. Shake off the frost at The Warm Up, Canmore’s mid-winter, multi-genre music festival brought to you by the Canmore Folk Music Festival in partnership with the Town of Canmore and Howl. 

• 📝Banff Documentary. SAIT students are working on a mini-documentary about Banff, focusing on both the positive and negative aspects of tourism. Anyone interested in being interviewed, please conact [email protected]. 

• 🎗️Walking Fundraiser. The Homeless Society of the Bow Valley is excited to announce the third annual Coldest Night of the Year family-friendly walk, taking place on February 22, 2025. This event is not just a walk; it's a heartfelt journey to raise funds for individuals facing hurt, hunger, and housing insecurity in our community. 

• 🙋‍♀️Crossfit Judges. The Rocky Mountain Winter Classic is this weekend, and the organizers are looking for a few volunteers to assist with judging. 

• 🎟️Show Off Your Wearable Art. If you missed out on heARTburn tickets this year, come and participate in this year’s after-party. Want to strut your stuff? Apply here. 

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: HOMELESSNESS SOCIETY OF THE BOW VALLEY

The Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley’s (HSBV) works to provide local, community-based support for individuals who are unhoused or experiencing housing instability within the Bow Valley. Currently, HSBV is seeking new Board members with diverse skills and experiences to help them achieve their mission.

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore’s council is considering funding a wildlife fence at Lions Park aligned with the town's Human-Wildlife Coexistence Action Plan. Aimed at preventing elk from gathering there, Mayor Krausert emphasized the safety and usability benefits of the project, citing the success of similar fencing at Centennial Park.

• It’s election season, and officials for the MD of Bighorn will be reviewing their procedural and council code of conduct bylaws before the upcoming October municipal election. 

• The Town of Canmore is at the beginning of a feasibility study that will determine the project scale and program recommendations for the “Moustache Lands” in the Palliser area. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, 9:30 PM: PINEO & LOEB. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $18.63.

• Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, 10:00 PM: DJ Nazo. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

• Thursday, January 30th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Mike Mackenzie. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Hockey. The U15 Canmore Eagles found a meaningful way to support Jasper, suiting up in Jasper Bearcats jerseys to stand in solidarity with their teammate Max Lescard and his wildfire-ravaged hometown. With “Heart Jasper” taped to their sticks, the team scored a win on and off the ice, reminding everyone what community is all about.

• Curling. Canmore’s Scott Moncur rink came one game away from making history at the Manitoba Open Bonspiel. A win would have made them the first Alberta team to claim the title in the event’s 137-year history. Instead, Portage’s Ryan Hyde team edged them out in the final, keeping the trophy in Manitoba—for now.

• Para Snowboard Cross. Canmore’s Tyler Turner just claimed his second World Cup podium, scoring his first gold medal of the season as he pushes toward a spot in the 2026 Paralympics. After losing both legs in a skydiving accident, Turner has redefined what’s possible—now, he’s proving he’s one of the best in the world.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place!