Results for: Alberta

Residents of Lloydminster, a city on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan, are being warned about a black bear that has been approaching people and vehicles. The RCMP issued a warning on Thursday, urging residents to take precautions. The bear was last seen near an A & W restaurant in the east end of the city at 10:35 a.m. Alberta Fish and Wildlife has been notified and is advising people to avoid approaching or feeding the bear. They also recommend keeping small children and pets indoors, securing food and garbage, and keeping fences and doors closed and locked. Anyone who sees the bear is asked to contact the Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400.

One person has tragically lost their life in a single-occupant glider crash near Highway 7, south of Calgary, Alberta. Diamond Valley Fire Rescue confirmed that a call was received at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday reporting the incident. Fire crews responded to the scene, but upon arrival, they found that the individual had already succumbed to their injuries. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) dispatched the Diamond Valley detachment to investigate the incident, which was initially reported as an “airplane crash.” Diamond Valley is situated approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Calgary. Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

As Pride Month approaches, the LGBTQ+ community in Alberta is facing a complex blend of emotions. While celebrations will continue, this year’s events will also be marked by activism, in response to proposed provincial policies that have raised concerns about the rights and healthcare of transgender youth. Advocates and legal experts have denounced the proposed policies as unconstitutional and transphobic, sparking protests and open letters. The Alberta government has stated that the policies aim to provide support for transgender adults and youth, while also preserving the rights of children and families. However, the LGBTQ+ community remains steadfast in their commitment to fight for equality and inclusion.

Calgary homeowners should expect their 2024 property tax bills to arrive by the end of next week, with a deadline of June 28 for payment. Failure to pay on time will result in a seven percent penalty on July 1. The funds collected from the property tax are shared between the Alberta government and the City of Calgary.

Fourteen Alberta LGBTQ+ organizations have banned Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party (UCP) from participating in 2024 Pride celebrations due to the government’s policies targeting the transgender community. The groups cited Smith’s intention to restrict healthcare access and infringe on the rights of transgender individuals, stating that these policies do not represent the views of the gender and sexually diverse community.

Wildfires and smoke haze are deterring tourists from visiting Alberta, impacting the province’s $100 billion tourism industry. Despite efforts by tourism officials to emphasize that not all of Canada is affected by wildfires, many international travelers are rescheduling or canceling their trips.

A raging wildfire in western Alberta has forced thousands of residents to evacuate, sparking fears of a repeat of the devastating 2016 blaze. The fire has nearly doubled in size and is approaching the city of Fort McMurray, prompting partial evacuations. Officials are monitoring changing weather conditions that may help push the fire away from the city, but they are urging residents to remain vigilant. The wildfire has also disrupted travel and tourism in the region, with many stores and schools closed due to the smoke. The situation highlights the challenges faced by communities in wildfire-prone areas and the importance of preparedness and effective response strategies.

The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 has downgraded an evacuation order to an alert for an area affected by a wildfire near Teepee Creek. The fire is now being held, and crews are monitoring the area. Residents in the affected area can now return home but must be prepared to leave if conditions change. The evacuation alert remains in place for Township Road 741 to a quarter section north of Township Road 734 and Range Road 32 to the Smoky River.

Residents in northern Alberta remain on evacuation alert as wildfires continue to burn out of control, but fire officials report that a change in the weather is providing some assistance to crews. The largest fire in the province, estimated at 6,579 hectares, is located about 16 kilometers southeast of Fort McMurray and 12 km west of Highway 63. After a windy weekend that fueled rapid growth of the blaze, Alberta Wildfire officials issued an update on Monday stating that “light rain showers are expected today, which will help lower fire activity.” Environment Canada forecasts a high temperature of 19 C in Fort McMurray for Monday, with mainly cloudy skies, a 60% chance of showers, and winds from the southeast at 20 km/h. Fire officials anticipate that “this will give firefighters a good window to continue making progress on containing the fire,” while heavy equipment operates on a fire guard on the northeast side of the blaze. Six crews of firefighters are working to establish a containment line, supported by 13 helicopters and airtankers on standby. Notably, two night vision helicopters worked overnight to drop water on the fire using their buckets.

Smoke from wildfires in northeastern British Columbia has prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement for Alberta. The smoke is expected to return for most of northeastern Alberta on Sunday, while conditions should begin to improve Sunday night for the majority of the province. However, conditions are likely to remain poor through Monday and possibly Tuesday for northwestern Alberta. Residents are urged to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke by reducing or stopping outdoor activities, especially if they experience breathing difficulties or feel unwell.