If nothing else, events this week show that despite mankind’s best efforts to regulate all aspects of life, Mother Nature won’t be controlled.
As we continue toward fall while gazing up at smoke-filled skies for a second summer, one really has to feel for those with respiratory conditions. For weeks now, valley residents have been complaining of ailments relating to the smoke and ash that again are a major feature on our landscape.
The occasional sprinkle of rain we’ve received tends to be nothing more than ash-filled muddy drops, but when actual ash is falling from the sky, one can only imagine the discomfort of those who suffer with respiratory problems.
Lately, weather reports from Environment Canada, for example, seem to have a nearly permanent air quality statement attached. Environment Canada, Alberta Environment and Parks and Alberta Health have recommendations for those suffering, but they are unlikely to provide any great relief (stay inside if you have breathing difficulties. Find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated. Using an air conditioner that cools and filters air may help. If you open the windows you may let in more polluted air. If your home isn’t air-conditioned, consider going to a public place – library, shopping mall, recreation centre – that is air-conditioned).
Indeed, with fires as close as Rundle Mountain and the Wardle fire still burning west of Banff, hundreds alight in B.C. and California ablaze, it’s unlikely we’ll see any respite until the snows fall.
Much like the Verdant fire west of Banff in 2017 burned until winter snows tamed it, there’s little doubt we’re in the same situation this summer. While provincial, federal and contract firefighting crews, and those flying in from Mexico, New Zealand and Australia, are doing all they can in regard to Western Canada wildfires, there are simply too many tens of thousands of hectares of forest burning for fires to be put out or, for the most part, adequately controlled.
The situation has become so dire, in fact, the B.C. provincial government declared a state of emergency due to 560 fires burning as of Wednesday (Aug. 15). And, being that prevailing winds tend to move B.C. smoke eastward, there will likely be no respite for the Bow Valley.
Like last year, evacuations are the story of the day in B.C. as residents move away from fires.
By comparison, the Alberta wildfire situation may be described as much less severe, with 20 burning as of Aug. 15, with none deemed out of control.
Then there is Banff’s reintroduced bison project, for which we offer Parks Canada kudos for the transplanting of bison from Elk Island National Park.
The multi-million dollar project, we feel, is one that many Canadians believe properly fits within Parks’ mandate of science and conservation. While tourism is certainly important in our national parks, so is science related to species, habitats and ecosystems across the nation.
In the end, who knows what kind of treasure trove of data will result from the bison project?
Still, it is rather comical to note that a couple of the transplanted bulls, once freed to roam where they pleased – decided to roam elsewhere.
The bulls leaving the area simply highlights the difficulty wildlife managers have in dealing with ‘wild’ animals. Wild animals tend to do what they want, rather than what we want them to.
All that’s needed now is for the Province to properly recognize bison in a manner which will allow them maximum protection.
