Editor: This is a copy of the letter we sent to the executive director of Avalanche.ca and Alberta Parks.ca.
Dear Mr. Valade;
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing your organization to ask that you better inform the Canmore community of blasting times for avalanche control.
As a resident of the Bow Valley over the past 36 years, we are fully aware of the dangers of avalanches in the Kananaskis area, specifically Mount EEOR on Spray Lakes Road. I have come to learn that you advise the local radio station and have a Facebook page, but many of us do not frequent Facebook nor choose to listen to Mountain FM.
The reason for writing at this time is that our dog, Caliber, who was in a fenced yard with double locks, was so frightened by the five or six bangs on Feb. 9, that he burst through the gate and ran and ran and ran. He was out of the yard before we could get to him. Unfortunately, he ran to the Trans-Canada and was killed by a passing vehicle.
This is not the only story I heard in town regarding the blasts last Tuesday. There was a dog in the off-leash park by the Quarry who ran out onto the road to the Nordic Centre (Hwy 742) and was also hit. As well, a resident from the seniors lodge had quite a scare thinking it was last year’s gas blast all over again.
There are many other stories that I know of beyond just these. Our family has always taken precautions for our pets during New Year’s Eve, winter festivals and July 1 celebrations when we expect to hear explosions echoing off the mountains – we actually have left town at times because the animals have been so frightened.
We also have a phone tree of people we contact if we find out that there is to be blasting.
My mother always told me not to complain unless you have a suggestion. My suggestion is this: When the season for avalanches begins, whether its November or February, I believe it is your responsibility to ensure you have taken every reasonable step to advise the public.
I believe that a weekly ad in the local papers, one which prominently displays your Facebook page, Kananaskis Country Public Safety Section, and links or phone numbers of government bodies in order that we are well informed of easily accessible avalanche advisories and information. The ad should run through till June or when the danger is over.
It is an awful sight to see our elderly, our unadvised community members and our pets under duress. I have seen dogs shaking so severely that it takes days before they are back to a normal heart rate and their nerves have calmed. Please consider my request.
*Addendum – A very empathetic employee of Alberta Parks, Jeremy MacKenzie, was prompt to contact me to discuss our concerns over the blasting of avalanches. I would like to publicly thank him for listening and taking our idea for more communication to the community “up the management ladder.”
Leslie Reid and family,
Canmore
