Canmore is marking Emergency Preparedness Week from May 3 to May 9, 2026, with a series of community events designed to help residents prepare for the upcoming wildfire season. As fire risks rise across the province, the Town of Canmore is coordinating with local groups to encourage households to take practical steps toward safety.
The Canmore Young Adult Network is helping residents get ready by hosting a workshop on building emergency kits. The event takes place on May 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Elevation Place, located at 700 Railway Avenue. Participants will have the chance to create their own emergency kits during the session, which has a cost of $10.
For families, the Canmore Public Library is hosting an educational event on May 8. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., children between the ages of 3 and 6 can attend a storytime featuring Ember the FireSmart Fox, an interactive way to introduce younger residents to fire safety concepts.
These local efforts follow a push for broader wildfire mitigation in the region. The FireSmart program has grown significantly in Canmore, with 13 neighbourhoods now participating in the recognition program, representing about 600 homes. This work is supported by the town’s first Regional FireSmart Coordinator, Simon Bagshaw, who was hired in February 2026.
Beyond individual preparedness, the town is continuing work on the Bow Valley Community Fireguard project. Phase 1 is already complete, with Phase 2 currently underway and plans established for a third phase that will create a 150-metre wide fireguard stretching 15 kilometres down the valley. Mayor Sean Krausert has noted that the 2024 wildfire in Jasper served as a significant motivator for these ongoing safety initiatives. To further evaluate readiness, the town will conduct a functional emergency exercise on May 6 to test local response capabilities.
