Waterton residents packed and ready if evacuation ordered

While the peak season ended with the Labour Day long weekend, several of the businesses were still open Wednesday, with tourists making the best of the situation. Among them was Mike Wagner of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who was headed for Washington and Oregon after one more night in the park.

“It was nice in St. Mary’s the day we got here. We got some nice pictures the first day,” Wagner said. He wasn’t concerned about the alert.

“I’m sure they know what they’re doing.”

Patrick MacLean works at a number of Waterton businesses, including Zum’s Mercantile and Evergreen Gifts. He said he’s not concerned about the fire getting too near town. It’s leaving that concerns him more.

“One road out, it’s a little scary if that road gets in trouble,” he said. He added there will be plenty of notice if it comes time to leave, and he doesn’t have much to take with him. But in the meantime the heavy smoke has thinned out the crowd.

“The restaurant is open, and it’s got quite a few tables (occupied),” he explained. “A lot of people just wanted to eat and get out of town.”

Darlene Hoglund works in town, but lives just outside the park boundary, and has invited friends from the townsite to take refuge at her place if needed. She admits it’s scary.

“These are our lives, our jobs — and the animals. It’s their home. It’s very scary to go through something like this.”

While they wait, and continue to work, Millar feels the knot in her stomach tighten with each day the fire burns.

“I’ve gathered the important things, put them in my truck, and they’re there if I need to go.”

by Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Waterton residents packed and ready if evacuation ordered

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