VERMILION CROSSING – Parks Canada has shut Highway 93 South for an estimated 24-hours on Tuesday (Aug. 7) at 11:30 a.m. to continue fighting the Wardle wildfire in Kootenay National Park.
A Parks Canada information bulletin indicated fire management actions are expected to result in smoke for the region and increased smoke was reported in Canmore and Banff early in the afternoon.
The fire operations team has grown to include 10 helicopters, two pieces of heavy equipment and 120 firefighters. While there is not through access along the highway, portions at the north and south ends remain open including access to the Paint Pots and Radium Hot Springs to McLeod Meadows.
Check www.drivebc.ca and www.511.alberta.ca for up-to-date highway information. Trail, back-country and day-use areas remain closed in the national parks. Visit https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/securite-safety/kpn-knp-feu-fire-2018 for more information on closures.
The blaze was ignited by lighting on July 31 and it is in close proximity of the highway, which led to concerns for public safety due to the risk of falling trees, anticipated movement of the fire and heavy smoke in the area. The highway closed Thursday
Parks Canada estimated the size of the fire remains at 1,200 hectares on Tuesday (Aug. 7). It grew to 1,200 hectares in size on Thursday (Aug. 2) as a result of two fires sparked by separate lightning strikes joined in the area of Vermilion Crossing on Mount Wardle.
The area of the fire is one valley west of Verdant Creek, where a wildfire burned for several months last year after also being started by lightning in July.
Meanwhile, the B.C. Wildfire Service continues to fight the Whitetail Creek wildfire, which was started by lightning on July 27, and a second fire near Cross River that is visible from Kootenay Valley Viewpoint south of Kootenay National Park.
