🔥Wildfire Watch

Good morning, Bow Valley!

As wildfires blaze across the province, we’re doing our best to keep you safe and informed.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Fatal drug poisonings in Mînî Thnî

• Another K-Country Accident

• A New Canmore Speakeasy
  
  + Happy Birthday Wildlife Distillery

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

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UP IN SMOKE: JASPER UPDATE

Current Status: So far, Jasper has seen 6,000 hectares burned, and evacuated of 25,000 people, including 5,000 residents and 20,000 park visitors. The situation is being managed by Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper from their Hinton HQ. There are no reported injuries, and everyone has been evacuated.

Future Updates: The best sources for current details and resources for evacuees can be found on the Municipality of Jasper site.

How  to Help: If you want to assist, public shelters in Edmonton, Calgary, and Grand Prairie are coordinating donations. Facebook groups such as Jasper Evacuees and  Bow Valley Home Finder are posting sheltering information and many businesses are collecting donations, offering discounts, or donating a portion of their sales to help those affected.

Here at Home: Project A and Sauvage Canmore have set up a Canmore Donation Centre for Jasper at 100B-56 Lincoln Park, next to CrossFit Canmore. They’re collecting seasonal clothing in good condition, pet food, unopened toiletries, baby toys, kids' toys, phone chargers, suitcases, backpacks, old phones or tablets, and gift certificates for groceries or drug stores. This thread has the latest on drop times and volunteer opportunities. 

THE DIGEST

• 🏞️Got what it takes to partner with Parks? Alberta Parks is inviting businesses to bid on operating and maintaining three Bow Valley-area parks: Bow Valley-Sibbald, Peter Lougheed-Spray, and Elbow-Highwood-Sheep. Check out the details here.

• 🤕On Sunday, a hiker near Grizzly Creek Day Use area in K-Country suffered serious injuries from a high fall. She was airlifted to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary with concerns including potential head injuries.

• 📢Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation is on high alert after two fatal drug poisonings in three days. The back-to-back deaths prompted local first responders to issue a warning as it is possible that a bad batch of contaminated drugs has made its way to the Mînî Thnî.

• 🛑AUPE workers rallied across Alberta last week, including a big event in Canmore on July 18. These Time for Action rallies are pushing for better wages, job security, and working conditions. Expect more rallies throughout the summer as workers continue to advocate for improvements.

• 🎨In July, Banff unveiled its latest public artwork by Métis artist Tiffany Shaw on Bear Street. The piece, "ask the water," invites reflection on our relationship with the Rocky Mountain ecosystems and the cycle of water. A launch event for this new addition to Banff’s art collection is set for September.

WILDFIRE WATCH

What’s happening: With the dry, hot weather and what’s happening up north, Bow Valley residents are keeping an eye on wildfires close to home.

Wildfires of Note: The Hector Lake Fire in Banff National Park has not expanded and is holding at six hectares. Recent rain has helped, and there’s no immediate threat to Lake Louise or Banff. There’s an out-of-control wildfire near Water Valley if you're in the Area of Closure, evacuate immediately. The Water Valley Community Hall is set up as a reception center for evacuees. For assistance, call 403-673-3611 for evacuation help or 403-493-4821 for livestock support.  The MD Bighorn Facebook page is offering real-time updates about the situation. 

Stay Alert: If you live in the Bow Valley (Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Field, or MD of Bighorn), sign up for emergency alerts through the Voyant App or on their website here. It’s a crucial tool for getting timely updates on emergencies.

Not an App Fan? Monitor Updates: Check your municipality’s website for the latest info and emergency guidelines. For Banff, Canmore, and other localities, keep an eye on their specific emergency planning pages for real-time updates.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Celebrate the Bankhead’s three-year anniversary. Your choice of a $12 breakfast poutine, masala omelet or back bacon benedict or enjoy the $50 4-course blind tasting dinner.

• Interested in mountain biking? Sign up for mountain biking lessons with CYAN and Trail Sports, July 26, 3:30- 5:30 PM.

• Check out a spooky paddle session.The Summerween Paddle Session is a collaboration between Lucy Hill Fitness and Banff/ Canmore Ghostwalks. July 26, 8 PM.

Saturday

• 5km Fun Run Everyone is welcome. July 27, 9 AM. Millennium Park, starting where the path meets the river trail.

• Rocks in the Rockies. Check out the Canmore Geology and Mining Tour, July 27, 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM. Canmore Museum, Canmore.

• Happy 7th birthday to the Wildlife Distillery! Join the party July 27, 1-9 PM. Wildlife Distillery, Canmore.

• Does pottery painting sound like fun? July 27, 1-3 PM. Sunshine Meadows, Banff. $50.

• Just the (historical) facts! Take a tour of Canmore’s historic downtown, July 27, 1-3 PM. Canmore Museum, Canmore. $50.

Sunday

• Kids eat free (no, really). Check out the menu at High Rollers. July 28, 12-6 PM. High Rollers, Banff.

• Vino and Vinyasa is an all-levels yoga class paired with wine July 28, 3-5 PM. Crazyweed Canmore. $50.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍕Buster’s Pizza and Donair on Railway Ave is having a grand opening this weekend! Get free 10” garlic cheese sticks with an order of large pizza.

• ✒️That iconic photo at Tavern 1883 features local tattoo artist Dwayne Wiebe and documentary photographer Kelly Schovanek, who’s also a Photographer without Borders alum.

• ☕Eclipse Coffee Roasters is opening its 3rd spot in Dead Man’s Flats! Ashton Construction Services is handling the renovation.

• 🎖️Banff just dedicated one of Canada's six war memorials for Korean War casualties. A powerful tribute!

• 🍺 Opening soon: Apres Canmore, your new speakeasy spot to unwind after skiing, biking, or just chilling.

• 🗣️The ACFA wants to hear from Bow Valley residents about French-language activities for this year. Share your ideas in their survey!

• 🔋The Electronic Recycling Association donated tech gear to add to the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley’s lone cell phone to boost their digital resources and increase their outreach.

• 🤩Rundle Bar at Fairmont Banff Springs won Canada's 100 Best's 2024 Best Patio Award. Cheers to that!

• 🐾Even though the Bow Valley Gap/Stoney Nakoda wildlife crossing is delayed until fall, animals are already using it.

• 🙏CYAN needs volunteers for pasta night at Canmore Miner’s Hall on Tuesday! Help out and enjoy a free meal

• 🛍️Check out Canmore’s garage sales this Saturday: 113 15th Street from 9am-3pm, and 308 Canyon Close from 9am-noon.

CIVIC NEWS

An upcoming tribunal hearing will determine if a local development advocacy group will be able to participate in an appeal against Canmore’s off-site levy bylaw amendment.

• Hearing Upcoming: The hearing will decide if the Bow Valley Builders and Development Association (BOWDA) can join the appeal against Canmore's off-site levy bylaw amendment.

• Town's Argument: Canmore wants BOWDA removed, arguing they’re not directly affected by the bylaw and citing previous similar cases.

• BOWDA's Defense: BOWDA contends they should be included as they represent stakeholders and contribute to industry-wide interests.

• Appeal Focus: Developers argue the bylaw’s cost calculations are flawed and lack transparency, affecting future land occupants.

Canmore Community Housing has updated the Vital Homes Rental Program waitlist numbers:

• 204 Households: On the waitlist, up from July.

• 1-Bedroom Units: Are the most sought after with 130 applicants.

• 3-Bedroom Units: Have the longest wait times with 10 units available for 24 applicants.

• No Short-Term Relief: Little change expected soon, but joining the waitlist is key for housing security. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, July 26, 4-7 PM: Gord March and Friends. Location: Sandtraps, Canmore. No cover.

• Friday, July 26, 4-7 PM: Music with Mike Petroff, $6 pints. Location: Canmore Brewing Company, Canmore. No cover.

• Friday, July 26, 9 PM. Heartland folk with Bear Brewer. Location: Rose and Crown Patio, Canmore. No cover.

• Friday, July 26, 7-10 PM: Country Friday with Five-o-Sixand $6 PBR. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No cover.

• Saturday, July 27, 5-8 PM: Singer songwriter Tyler Wood. Location: The Yard Poutinerie, Canmore. No cover.

• Saturday, July 27, 10 PM: Live music with The Billionaires. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff.

• Sunday, July 28, 10 PM: Local DJ’s for industry night. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No cover.

• Sunday, July 28, 10 PM: Karaoke night. Location: Beaver Bar, Banff. No cover.

SPORTS

• Stewart Creek and Silvertip hosted Hockey Canada’s Celebrity Golf Tournament last week, benefiting the Hockey Alberta Foundation. This major fundraiser, featuring NHL alumni, supports youth hockey access across Alberta.Thanks to sponsors and guests for a fantastic event!

• On Wednesday, we spotlighted first-time Olympian Krissy Scurfield in Rugby Sevens. Catch her on Instagram @krissyyolo or watch her compete on Sunday, July 28: 9:30 am vs. Fiji and 1:30 pm vs. New Zealand.

That’s all, folks!

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