Airdrie-area residents face mixed skies this weekend along with active wildlife and water advisories across southern Alberta.
Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts mainly cloudy conditions Saturday, with a 30 per cent chance of showers late in the morning and early afternoon and a risk of a thunderstorm. Winds become southwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 near noon. The high is expected to be 24 C, with a humidex of 26. Skies clear overnight, dropping to a low of 6 C.
Sunday will be sunny with a high of 24 C and a low of plus 4.
Banff-area closure due to sewage spill
Parks Canada has closed an 8,100-square-metre area north of Peyto Pit Road in Banff National Park due to a sewage spill.
The closure, in effect until Aug. 22, was issued under Section 36(1) of the National Parks General Regulations because of human health risk and wildlife attractant.
Violators may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act, with a maximum penalty of $25,000.
For more information, call Banff Park Emergency Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
Bear warnings in Kananaskis, Bow Valley
Alberta Parks says an “exceptional berry crop” is drawing both grizzly and black bears into day-use areas, campgrounds, trails and roadways throughout Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley.
A bear warning issued Aug. 12 covers all provincial parks and protected areas in the region. Officials report increased sightings, close encounters and bluff charges, and urge visitors to secure food and garbage, make noise, travel in groups, leash pets, and carry bear spray.
Trail closures and specific warnings remain in place, including parts of Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit, Bill Milne Trail and Canyon Creek Road.
Cyanobacteria advisory for Eagle Lake
Alberta Health Services has issued a cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) advisory for Eagle Lake, southeast of Strathmore.
Visitors are advised to avoid contact with visible blooms and keep pets out of the water. Fish fillets can be eaten safely, but whole fish and trimmings should not be consumed by pets, and human consumption should be limited.
The blooms can produce toxins that cause skin irritation, sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in humans, and can be fatal to animals. They may appear as scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs with a musty or grassy smell.
Open Farm Days in Rocky View County
Two farms in Rocky View County open to the public Aug. 16 and 17 for Alberta Open Farm Days.
Souto Farms in the county’s north features tours of its store, warehouse, apple chip factory and garden, along with food trucks, bouncy castles, a straw maze, a petting zoo and yard games. Tours run at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day, with free admission and pre-registration requested.
Providence Lane Homestead, north of Cochrane, offers archaeology walks with the University of Calgary and Siksika Nation, textile demonstrations, wetland conservation talks, and workshops in needle felting and native fescue cordage.
Big Hill Springs named ‘hidden gem’
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, 30 kilometres west-southwest of Airdrie, has been named one of 45 “hidden gem” parks in Canada by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
The park features tiered waterfalls over moss-covered limestone terraces, a perennial spring, and a 1.6-kilometre interpretive loop past the ruins of a historic fish hatchery and one of Alberta’s first commercial creameries. It was one of four Alberta parks on the national list released this week.
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