VERMILION CROSSING – After being shut completely to vehicle traffic due to wildfire for several days, Highway 93 South in B.C. through Kootenay National Park reopened as of Sunday afternoon (Aug. 5).
However, a Parks Canada wildfire information bulletin indicated the opening of the highway is expected to be intermittent for both directions of traffic as a result of wildfire activity.
The information bulletin stated smoke continues to limit visibility, but if deemed safe Parks Canada was aiming to safely open the highway intermittently to traffic on Sunday afternoon. Drive BC indicated Monday morning (Aug. 6), the highway was open, but may close at short notice.
Some of the factors that affect Parks Canada's decision on whether the roadway is safe include the risk of trees falling onto the highway, anticipated movement of the Wardle complex wildfire in the area and heavy smoke.
The Wardle complex wildfire, meanwhile, reached a size of 1,200 hectares over the weekend. Two lightning strikes ignited wildfires in the Vermilion Valley on Tuesday (July 31) and then combined several days later to form a complex wildfire.
Parks has nine helicopters, two pieces of heavy equipment and 90 personnel working on the blaze.
Parks recommended planning ahead to travel the road, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 pm.MST when fire activity is reduced.
As it is still an active wildfire, motorists should be prepared to wait at road blocks intermittently, or long term with little notice. It is important to have enough fuel and supplies in case motorists are required to turn around and take an alternate route through Golden.
Trails, back country campgrounds and day use areas remain closed from the Rockwall trail to Dolly Varden, however a number of recreational areas remain open like the Radium Hot Pools and Storm Mountain Lodge.
Visit https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/securite-safety/kpn-knp-feu-fire-2018 for more information on closures
