The Hidden Valley Golf Course and neighboring French Creek RV Campground in Alberta are open and operational after a wildfire damaged several structures but left core facilities intact.
“The house and shop were saved but we lost all the other outbuildings,” said Ivy Dirks, owner of Hidden Valley Golf Course.
The fire reached the property when firefighters attempted to connect their hoses to the golf course pump house.
The hoses caught fire, igniting the pump house and causing it to burn down.
Despite the damage, the golf course and campground resumed operations. “Golfers are welcome to come golfing—everything is operational,” Dirks said, as reported by Lakeland Today on May 7.
French Creek RV Campground, located beside the golf course, also faced the threat of the wildfire.
However, all camping lots were not affected. Co-owner Leona Smith led a tour of the area, showing the extent of the fire’s impact on surrounding infrastructure.
The Smiths’ hay field was spared due to aerial firefighting efforts. Water bombers dropped retardant over the area while helicopters drew water from nearby ponds.
The pond at Hidden Valley Golf Course was used first, after which helicopters began utilizing the ponds on the French Creek RV property.
Smith said she noticed smoke around 4 p.m. on May 6. Helicopters remained active throughout the evening, conducting repeated water drops to suppress the fire.
By the following day, smouldering hot spots remained in the area.
During a tour on May 7, a large evergreen tree fell and ignited.
A helicopter circled overhead and landed in the Smiths’ hay field, although no further firefighting crews were observed at the time.
Gary Smith, co-owner of the campground, took action to extinguish the tree to prevent additional spread.