Cochrane

The fire ban previously in place for central and northern Alberta has now been extended to include the Calgary Forest Area due to heightened wildfire risk.

Under the ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited and existing fire permits have been suspended.

The ban applies to both public and private lands, including:

• Campfires in designated campgrounds

• Backcountry and random camping areas

• Day-use areas

• Residential properties

• The use of barbecue charcoal briquettes

Abandoned wells are a significant environmental and safety risk. These wells can act as a conduit and allow contaminated surface water to enter the well and severely impact water quality, posing risk to drinking water supplies, as well as plant, animal and aquatic life.

Abandoned wells, especially large diameter wells, are also physical hazards that can result in injury or death to humans or animals who may accidentally fall in. Proper decommissioning of these wells is crucial to protect our water sources and improve public safety.

Saskatchewan farmers now have 97 per cent of the provincial crop in the ground, but now face the challenge of dry conditions.

The federal government's grain monitor Quorum Corporation released its weekly performance update for Grain Week 42.

Space in primary elevators is good - as road bans remain in effect across the prairies, country stocks dropped to 2.34 million metric tonnes. 

Total Western Port terminal stocks increased to 1.52 MMT in Week 42, utilizing 79% of the working capacity.

West Coast unloads were 6,332 cars and 2,051 for Thunder Bay.

The total average terminal out-of-car time (OCT) increased to 15.2% from 6.0% the previous week. 

The BeGrainSafe program is making significant strides in enhancing safety for farmers. rural firefighters and emergency responders across Canada. This initiative provides specialized training and equipment focused on grain entrapment rescues, a critical need in the agricultural sector.

Pickleball enthusiasts are in for a big day tomorrow with the official opening of a new 20-court hub in Cochrane’s Greystone community.

A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m. next to the SLS Centre to unveil the state-of-the-art facility. It includes 18 regulation courts and two accessible courts for players with physical disabilities — among the first of their kind in Canada.

Cochrane’s vibrant Filipino community will be sharing its culture this Saturday (June 7) at its annual celebration in honour of Philippines Independence Day.

Organized by the Filipino Canadian Association of Cochrane Alberta (FCACA), the event returns to the Cochrane Ranche historic site for four hours of live music, dancing, family fun and a delicious feast. It runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It is also one of the final events of Cochrane’s busy Seniors Week celebration.

The fire danger rating in Banff National Park has now been elevated to “Extreme”, prompting officials to urge extra caution from all visitors and residents.

An “Extreme” rating means wildfires can ignite easily, spread rapidly, and burn with intense heat, making them incredibly difficult for firefighters to control.

While some wildfires are naturally caused, such as by lightning, many can be prevented. Parks Canada is reminding the public to help reduce the risk of human-caused fires by following a few key safety steps:

Security officials for the upcoming G-7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis say wildfire evacuation planning is part of their overall preparations.

RCMP Chief Superintendent David Hall notes that wildfires in other communities could also impact road access to the summit.

He says all agencies involved are staying alert to the national wildfire situation, which could shift resources toward evacuation efforts like those currently happening across the Prairies.

More than 50 wildfires are burning in Alberta, with several evacuation orders in place.

The Liberal government has introduced legislation aimed at cutting down barriers to internal trade by recognizing provincial and territorial rules at the federal level.

Officials who briefed reporters this morning say the goal is to reduce the number of redundant standards across the country.

They say that, for example, a company that produces washing machines that meet a provincial energy efficiency standard won't have to meet a separate federal standard to sell outside that province.