‘A real rodeo’: Fires, rain and snow hit Yellowhead County in west central Alberta

EDMONTON – The mayor of Yellowhead County in west central Alberta says it’s been “a real rodeo” in the area as residents deal with wildfires, rain and snow in the same month.

Wade Williams says in an online video that people had been praying for rain to douse the fires but are now asking for the water to stop.

He says snow has also knocked out a power line in the hamlet of Cadomin.

Williams reminds residents that wildfires are still burning in the county, which is about 250 kilometres west of Edmonton.

Residents who were forced to flee due to the fires returned to their homes last week only to be asked to either leave again or shelter-in-place due to flooding.

Parks Canada says significant rain and snow have also closed some roads in Jasper National Park.

Officials say in a statement that the park has received more than 100 millimetres of rain and 55 centimetres of snow in some locations.

“Parks Canada is working on assessing the safety of roads, including the risk of avalanches or mudslides,” says the statement. “We recognize this situation may cause delays and impact visitor travel plans.”

It adds that parks staff had to help about 60 people — including hikers on the Skyline trail, paddlers on Maligne Lake and two tour buses full of passengers from Maligne Road — and continue to respond to stranded visitors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2023.

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