Red Deer’s Lindsay Thurber evacuated on day one of classes

Aug 31, 2026 | 3:39 PM

It’s only the first day of classes, but there’s already been an incident at Red Deer’s Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School.

Red Deer Public Schools, via an email sent to parents by the principal, shared this afternoon that at around 2:15 p.m., students and staff were safely evacuated after a “pet deterrent spray” was discharged in a school bathroom.

Red Deer Emergency Services has since confirmed it was a pepper/capsicum-based dog spray.

The spray impacted the quality of air quality throughout the building, the school said.

Red Deer Emergency Services (RDES) have since left the scene and confirmed to rdnewsNOW that there were no injuries. However, there are reports that some people were coughing, which RDES confirms would be normal if anyone inhaled any of it, as it is an irritant. No one had to be treated or was sent to hospital, they reiterated.

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RDES could not confirm as of yet whether the spray was brought into the school or was already in the school.

They did say it was discharged on the main floor near the cafeteria, then it was found disposed in a recycling bin.

Red Deer Public notes students were allowed back in shortly thereafter, grade by grade, to retrieve their belongings and go home. All tryouts and practices were also cancelled.

Classes will resume tomorrow.

rdnewsNOW will share more details when they become available.

by Josh Hall

Red Deer’s Lindsay Thurber evacuated on day one of classes

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