Canmore residents and business owners can learn about the next phase of the Bow Valley Community Fireguard construction project at a Community Information Night on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Canmore Brewing Company, located at 1460 Railway Avenue.
The Town of Canmore is hosting the drop-in event to present details about Phase 3 construction, which is scheduled to begin on September 14, 2026. This phase will extend from the Rundle Forebay area toward Pigeon Mountain and Dead Man’s Flats. In total, approximately 465 hectares will be treated, including 205 hectares of forest clearing, 110 hectares of thinning, and 150 hectares for wildlife habitat enhancement patches.
Fire Chief Shawn Polley has identified wildfire as the top-rated hazard to life, property, and critical infrastructure within the Bow Valley. Mayor Sean Krausert emphasized the importance of emergency mitigation work, stating, “We have to just keep going to make our community safer and safer.”
The fireguard project is a partnership between the Town of Canmore, the Municipal District of Bighorn, and the Kananaskis Improvement District, with funding from the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA). The FRIAA Community Fireguard Program has grown to $34 million by April 2026, reflecting the province’s increased focus on wildfire resilience.
Phase 3 construction is anticipated to be completed in Canmore by the end of January 2027, with work near Pigeon Mountain and Dead Man’s Flats complete by the end of March 2027. Residents are encouraged to attend the open house to learn about construction schedules, trail closures, and potential impacts before work begins.
