Fire inched dangerously close toward the Banff townsite on what was, up until that point, a typical spring day in the Outlook newsroom.
The report came to the attention of the news staff that a prescribed burn had gotten out-of-control and forced evacuations of a resort, private event and reception area, as well as several horses from a nearby pen.
Realizing the magnitude of the situation unfolding, reporters Cathy Ellis and Jessica Lee, as well as photojournalist Jungmin Ham jumped to action – making calls, scrolling through social media, and fearlessly driving toward the burning national park.
The raging fire, on the brink of forcing more evacuations, caused an unnerving stress to darken over Banff like the billowing smoke. Flames had reached mammoth heights just a few kilometres away from buildings and residences from the mountain resort town. Neighbouring communities held their breath in an anxious time of what could have easily been them.
These were crucial moments to get out vital and accurate information to the concerned public.
While the rest of the newsroom offered back-up support, it certainly wasn’t needed with the talented trio taking the reins. Luckily, the blaze was contained at three hectares west of the Banff townsite in May 2023.
This week, the Outlook won 15 awards in 11 categories at the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards (CCNA), including first place for best multimedia breaking news coverage, best feature story, best sports photo and best news feature photo.
One of these first place awards was for the outstanding coverage during and following the prescribed burn that got out-of-control.
One trait of this exceptional newsroom is it never lacks one (but often all) reporter(s) willing to get into the thick of things, do the dirty work, and ultimately, do great journalism – a vital field for society. Though, the weekly newspaper has proven its strength isn’t at one particular niche, but rather all aspects of the Rocky Mountain communities.
It’s one of the first times, if not the only, that the individual work of the entire Outlook editorial staff – Ham, Lee, Ellis, Matthew Thompson, Jordan Small, Greg Colgan and Patrick LaMontagne – was recognized at a single CCNA.
In spring, the Outlook also was handed seven Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association awards, including first place for best overall, best front page and best sports coverage.
While only one example was given of a behind-the-scenes scenario, we report and also live in these communities and experience the same issues such as the threat of natural disasters and the high-cost of living. However, we also share in the triumphs such as cheering on a born-and-raised Olympian at the highest level.
We’re around town, at the grocery store, rec centre, or maybe a pub or two, and always willing to lend an ear and have a conversation.
Here at the Outlook, our commitment to serving the communities we cover with the best possible journalism goes far and beyond awards. Sure, the awards are a nice shiny accolade to nail up on a wall, but the work to continue to do great journalism for these communities, our home, is far from over.
