Lakeshore Trail, 13 km one way to Goat Haunt Ranger Station in Montana
I visited Waterton Lakes National Park last fall, walked the Lakeshore Trail all the way to Montana and climbed the Bear’s Hump for the very first time. It was lush and green.
Golden-mantled ground squirrels
We hiked through deep forest, waded through berry bushes up to our armpits, and teased ground squirrels masquerading as chipmunks.
Then, four weeks later, lightning struck Kenow Mountain, sparking a blaze that devoured forest at a terrifying rate. People were evacuated and animals fled. So what happened?
- Lightning struck on August 30 and the fire grew steadily for 10 – 12 days. On September 10, the fire was 9,000 hectares in size and two days later it had quadrupled. More than 40% of Waterton Lakes National Park was affected by the fire.
- The Kenow Fire was not exceptional in size, but its severity was very high. ‘Intensity’ is the measure of a fire when it is happening. ‘Severity’ is the measure of destruction, using a scale of 4. Much of Waterton was rated the top of the scale.
- The speed of the fire was exceptional, particularly as the crown fire moved through the canopy of the aspen forest. Conditions had been the driest on record that summer.
- On September 8, the evacuation order was given. Townsfolk fled. Animals like ground squirrels, snakes, and salamanders had already headed underground. Larger mammals moved out of the path of the fire as best they could, but it was inevitable that some would die.
- By September 28, 455 personnel from 31 agencies had gathered to fight the Kenow Fire, organize evacuation, or begin the clean up. Fire crews from Calgary and Cardston toiled to protect the Prince of Wales Hotel, spraying the 90-year-old hotel with water and foam.
The fire was so hot, it cracked rock. It burned trees completely, leaving holes in the ground where they had stood for decades. It changed the landscape of Waterton Lakes National Park.
