Parks Canada is actively managing the Verdant Creek wildfire. The fire does not directly threaten any local communities or the Bow and Columbia valleys. Crews are working directly on the fire’s edge on the north to suppress the fire and continue to work to contain the spread of the fire in proximity to Highway 93 South.
What’s closed:
At the time of this update, there are no changes to area closures in Banff and Kootenay national parks related to the Verdant Creek wildfire. For a complete list of existing area closures, please check here:
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/verdant-fire. Additional areas may be closed proactively for the safety of the public, to reduce the potential for additional fires and to facilitate fire operations.
A fire ban remains in effect in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks due to the elevated fire danger and to prevent the possibility of human-caused fires.
What’s open
All facilities in Banff and Kootenay national parks are open, except those included in area closures. There are many frontcountry and backcountry destinations for visitors to explore.
In Kootenay National Park, when Highway 93 South through Kootenay National Park is open, it is a safe route to the Columbia Valley. Should the highway be impacted by smoke or fire behaviour, an alternate route is via Highways 1 and 95 through Golden, BC. Communities and businesses in the Columbia Valley remain open, and this alternative route adds only approximately one additional hour of driving time.
FOR CURRENT INFORMATION:
· For current air quality advisories and Frequently Asked Questions, refer to our website:
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/verdant-fire and our Facebook and Twitter channels.
· Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park continues to be affected by wildfire, smoke and fire suppression activities. Check
www.DriveBC.ca and
www.alberta511.ca for possible temporary closures, alternate routes and the most up-to-date information.
Emergencies only: Report wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-4506