Waterton Park Kenow Wildfire impact on wildlife

[Buck_Hunter]

I was speaking with a firefighter that helped save the Waterton town-site from certain destruction from the Kenow Fire. He told me the vast majority of the park had been burned and was lost. When I asked him his thoughts about the impacts the wildfire had on wildlife he told me some very disturbing news. He had spoken directly with the the national park wardens who were tasked with managing wildlife and they told him that many animals were killed from the fire and went as far as telling him that some of the bears that were found still alive and suffering that had to be euthanized that the wardens could literally peel the pads off their paws from the heat that they endured... I would have thought that the animals would have had enough instinct to get the hell out of their, he told me that the winds picked up and changed direction so fast that the fire caught everybody off guard. They were briefed to expect the fire to reach the town-site boundary overnight/hours away but he ended up getting out of bed 40 minutes later after that briefing and found the fire right on their doorstep, he told me the winds shifted so drastically in a very short period of time that it caught everybody off guard, including the wildlife by the sounds of it....very very sad. Going to take a long time for things to rebound around their and the dynamics of the park are going to be a lot different than what we have been used too seeing and enjoying. Thank you to everyone that has and is helping out with putting this beast of a blaze out, which to my knowledge is still burning to the north and threatening Castle Mountain area, and for helping out the people, ranches and farms that this fire has taken from.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by Buck_Hunter

I was speaking with a firefighter that helped save the Waterton town-site from certain destruction from the Kenow Fire. He told me the vast majority of the park had been burned and was lost. When I asked him his thoughts about the impacts the wildfire had on wildlife he told me some very disturbing news. He had spoken directly with the the national park wardens who were tasked with managing wildlife and they told him that many animals were killed from the fire and went as far as telling him that some of the bears that were found still alive and suffering that had to be euthanized that the wardens could literally peel the pads off their paws from the heat that they endured... I would have thought that the animals would have had enough instinct to get the hell out of their, he told me that the winds picked up and changed direction so fast that the fire caught everybody off guard. They were briefed to expect the fire to reach the town-site boundary overnight/hours away but he ended up getting out of bed 40 minutes later after that briefing and found the fire right on their doorstep, he told me the winds shifted so drastically in a very short period of time that it caught everybody off guard, including the wildlife by the sounds of it....very very sad. Going to take a long time for things to rebound around their and the dynamics of the park are going to be a lot different than what we have been used too seeing and enjoying. Thank you to everyone that has and is helping out with putting this beast of a blaze out, which to my knowledge is still burning to the north and threatening Castle Mountain area, and for helping out the people, ranches and farms that this fire has taken from.

Ouch Ouch Ouch.
Thank you for this post. I just today heard a "biologist" on CBC radio saying that most animals escape a forest fire by running, flying, or burrowing. Been doing it forever. Some of the slower ones (like porcupines) get caught up, and that's unfortunate.
Always good to get both sides of a story. Your right, it is very sad. I sure hope you guy's get some rain soon.

[Buck_Hunter]

Yes very sad. Additionally, the park warden told him that they would be leaving the dead animal carcasses where they lay for the remaining animals to feed on as they forecast a very tough upcoming fall/winter for the animals in and around the park.

[Brian Adams]

Originally Posted by waterninja

I sure hope you guy's get some rain soon.

They just did. For 2 days. It changed the whole situation there.

[glen1971]

The fire acted in ways that no one fighting fires has seen.. The winds pushed the fire at a speed no one was expecting, and launching fire balls ahead of it. The animals would have had to run for their lives and through some pretty rough territory. I know that the park officials, biologists, and anyone involved would have made sure that any animals left behind were ethically put down if they were suffering and it wouldn't have been an easy job.

I think the park will need a good winter to help it recover. In the spring, we'll be able to see how things will come back. The grasses will come back as green as ever and the damage to the trees will be more visible. Some will make it, with just a few scars as a reminder. Others will not and stand as a reminder to the fire. Others will grown as a result of the fire.. Time will tell, but the area will rebound... Look at the Yellowstone fires in 1988..

[Big Grey Wolf]

Very bad seen for our National Park and the local ranchers. Yes grass will come back in year or two, However trees take 50 -100 years to recover to their previous stage. It will take 3-5 generations before the park will look like its former beauty.

[Pathfinder76]

With the fuel that was in there it was inevitable.

[bessiedog]

Agreed.

Hate to say it.

But lots of Castle is just a matchead waitin for a spark.

[Newview01]

Fires like that have been going on for centuries. I wonder how many times the Waterton area has burned. I bet if natives had a written record of all that has happened there would be a lot of stories about wildfires that would dwarf the Kenow fire.

Not to make light of the situation, but the park remains as natural as it ever was.

[boah]

Originally Posted by Newview01

Fires like that have been going on for centuries. I wonder how many times the Waterton area has burned. I bet if natives had a written record of all that has happened there would be a lot of stories about wildfires that would dwarf the Kenow fire.

Not to make light of the situation, but the park remains as natural as it ever was.

Agree. Fire, one of the 4 elements. About as natural as it gets. Too bad about personal property loss though.

[walking buffalo]

The only thing unnatural about this fire and its effects is the actions of humans putting it out.

To my eyes, Waterton is more beautiful today than it has been in a century.

Our petty human desires continue to blind us to what nature needs.

Putting out the fire to save homes, I get that.

Putting out the fire that was reaching into the South Castle, a bad move that Alberta Parks should take a whipping for.

[Pathfinder76]

In what part of the natural world do humans not belong?

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by chuck

In what part of the natural world do humans not belong?

I hear ya Chuck, and philosophically agree.

But the truth is the english language defines nature as exclusive of humans and our actions/creations.
This carries on into how we define events within wildlife and forestry management.

-------

While being philosophical....

This definition even applies to many of humanities larger religions.
Eg. Dominion over Nature....

Those following such religions Must recognize and believe in the separation of Humans and Nature or accept the right for other peoples to Dominate them under this doctrine...

[Pathfinder76]

Which I completely disagree with both fundamentally and morally. But it is the basis for far left philosophy on how wild places are managed.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by chuck

Which I completely disagree with both fundamentally and morally. But it is the basis for far left philosophy on how wild places are managed.

If you consider Christianity to be far left, philosophically. lol....


Which train are we on?

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

If you consider Christianity to be far left, philosophically. lol....


Which train are we on?

I'm not sure religion has anything to do with that although you sure try with me.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by glen1971

The fire acted in ways that no one fighting fires has seen.. The winds pushed the fire at a speed no one was expecting, and launching fire balls ahead of it. The animals would have had to run for their lives and through some pretty rough territory. I know that the park officials, biologists, and anyone involved would have made sure that any animals left behind were ethically put down if they were suffering and it wouldn't have been an easy job.

I think the park will need a good winter to help it recover. In the spring, we'll be able to see how things will come back. The grasses will come back as green as ever and the damage to the trees will be more visible. Some will make it, with just a few scars as a reminder. Others will not and stand as a reminder to the fire. Others will grown as a result of the fire.. Time will tell, but the area will rebound... Look at the Yellowstone fires in 1988..

One can't help but wonder if they threw enough resources at it and the other fires when they first started. Look at some of the old park pictures from the twenties, Still recovering from the 1910 fires. What goes around comes around.

Grizz

[glen1971]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

One can't help but wonder if they threw enough resources at it and the other fires when they first started. Look at some of the old park pictures from the twenties, Still recovering from the 1910 fires. What goes around comes around.

Grizz

Had the folks in BC had the resources to put out the fire when it was 100 hectares, whether the area was populated or not, this thread wouldn't exist..

[Pathfinder76]

Or if the federal and Alberta governments could figure out how to cross that pretend line.

[lead chucker]

Originally Posted by chuck

With the fuel that was in there it was inevitable.

Maybe some healthy logging and some forest management should have been a good idea.the back of the south castle is a disaster of dead fall.a sad sight in my opinion.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by lead chucker

Maybe some healthy logging and some forest management should have been a good idea.the back of the south castle is a disaster of dead fall.a sad sight in my opinion.

This goes back to my comments regarding humans as part of nature and this planet. We have the ability to think and foresee, but we become our own worst enemy at times.

[TimeOff]

Up to 150 years ago, fires would start in the rockies and burn across the prairie into Saskatchewan with regularity. Has happened for 1000's of years. Only difference now is we are here to see it and interfere with what has been a natural process. Biggest change to the natural state of things is Human development. Nature has taken care of itself long before we settled this continent. That goes for the "First Settlers" as well!

[glen1971]

Kenow Fire: Impact on wildlife
The Kenow wildfire was a fire of exceptional magnitude. Under normal circumstances, larger animals are usually able to flee and smaller animals may seek refuge underground.
However, the rapid growth and extreme fire behaviour exhibited by the Kenow wildfire created an unprecedented situation where mortality of wildlife occurred.
The fire moved quickly during the night and the speed of growth compounded by heavy smoke limited the possibility for wildlife to escape its path.
There is life in the park and many animals did survive, but many did also succumb to the fire or smoke inhalation. Healthy animals, such as elk, deer, moose, bears and sheep have been observed within the fire area. Animals were able to find refuge during the fire and those who moved out of the path of the fire are returning to the park.
At this time, Parks Canada is managing the immediate impacts of the fire on wildlife. Parks Canada is actively seeking out mortally wounded animals and is humanely euthanizing animals that have wounds that are not survivable or treatable.
Parks Canada has brought in its Wildlife Health Specialist to assist and oversee this process. Ending an animal’s life is always a last resort and is not a decision that we take lightly as our staff work very hard to protect wildlife and ecological integrity within the national park.
Much of the landscape within the national park has changed and this includes the food sources that wildlife would normally rely on. Animal carcasses are being left on the landscape to provide additional food sources for carnivores and scavengers. It’s important to keep in mind that, as we move forward into the winter season, we will begin to observe the long term effects of this fire on wildlife, such as animals moving outside the fire perimeter in search of new food sources over the winter.
Over the years and seasons, the land will rejuvenate itself and wildlife will return to thrive again in Waterton Lakes National Park. This will take time though, and wildlife will need to adapt to the altered habitat within the park. Fire has always been part of the natural cycle that has shaped the habitat and vegetation on this landscape and the flora and fauna of Waterton Lakes National Park will respond to this fire in a positive way.
Residents and visitors need to take extra precaution around wildlife in the park as they may be displaced or acting abnormally due to the impact of the fire. Wildlife behaviour is always unpredictable, and species in and around Waterton Lakes National Park will be under additional stress.
If you do observe wildlife, including injured animals or those exhibiting abnormal behaviour, report it immediately to 1-888-WARDENS (927-3367). For your safety, and the safety of the animals, never approach, feed or entice wildlife.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/wate...faune-wildlife

[IronNoggin]

Originally Posted by chuck

With the fuel that was in there it was inevitable.

I worked there way back when.
The fuel load then was beyond fantastic.
Part & parcel of the job was advanced hell-attack fire training.
Passed that of course, and told the Boss - If she ever does go up, you will know exactly where to find me. Running the park gate as fast as I can to points east.

It has always been a major conflagration just looking for an excuse to ignite.
Apparently, it found what it was seeking...

Cheers,
Nog

[Mr. Dynamite]

Anybody drove through Jasper recently? It's high on the list of next big burn candidates. Hills all over turning brown from the pine beetle, hundreds of acres of nice dry kindling just waiting for lightning or a careless person. They should be cutting a huge fire break around the town and that golf course. Or just let that go up, why go to the park to golf anyhow? Tour guides even admitting that the forest is 60 years overdue to be rejuvenated.

[TangoKilo]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

The only thing unnatural about this fire and its effects is the actions of humans putting it out.

To my eyes, Waterton is more beautiful today than it has been in a century.

Our petty human desires continue to blind us to what nature needs.

Putting out the fire to save homes, I get that.

Putting out the fire that was reaching into the South Castle, a bad move that Alberta Parks should take a whipping for.

WB I agree with this statement 110%

[Pathfinder76]

Walking Buffalo has not seen the affects of this fire. I have. I have also seen the homes that were burned. So where in his ivory tower does Darrel make the call to the minions below to stop this monster?

[slough shark]

Here in lies the issue, we have been interfering with nature for some time not having the fires come through and clean up the forest. That being said it's hard to see the park burn down the animals die and the houses burn. They need to be far more proactive in dealing with the maturing of the forests and pine beetles. I would suspect it's coming for Banff and jasper soon unless something is done about it.