Updated August 27, 2018
Fire Ban:
- The fire danger rating is listed as low in Banff due to recent conditions, which may fluctuate over several hours.
- However, a fire ban remains in place for the Town of Banff and Banff National Park.
- Parks Canada will continue to evaluate on-the-ground conditions, wildfire activity and forecasts to determine fire ban status.
- The Town of Banff will continue to align its fire ban status with Banff National Park.
Air Quality:
- Environment Canada has lifted its air quality statement for Banff and the surrounding region due to a recent shift in prevailing winds and resulting relief from smoke emanating from B.C. wildfires.
- With more than 500 fires in B.C., smoke will continue to blow into Banff when prevailing winds are from the west. Wind direction can change hourly.
- For information on smoke from wildfires, visit https://weather.gc.ca/firework/index_e.html
- Alberta Health Services has maintained its province-wide precautionary air quality advisory.
- Individuals experiencing symptoms can also call Health Link 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free at 811, to speak to a registered nurse.
Wildfire:
Banff National Park:
- There are no wildfires in Banff National Park that present a risk to the public or infrastructure.
- People are asked to report any wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-4506.
Other fires in adjacent parks:
- The Wardle fire in Kootenay National Park is listed as being held by Parks Canada crews, and it is not expected to spread. The area of the fire covers 3,600 hectares (36 square kilometres).
- The Whitetail Creek wildfire straddling the west boundary of Kootenay National Park has grown to 1,170 hectares (11.7 square kilometres), with 300 hectares within the park.
- Crews are working to ensure the Whitetail Creek wildfire remains within containment lines established by heavy equipment. To prevent the fire’s spread southward in Kootenay National Park, a containment operation whereby fuel is burned in advance of the fire, is being planned should conditions be favourable in the coming days.
- Given the forecasted weather, heavy smoke from the Whitetail Creek wildfire may affect visibility for drivers on Highway 93 South. No communities are at risk from this wildfire.
- For trail closures in Kootenay National Park, visit Important Bulletins.
- The Province of British Columbia remains in a state of emergency due to wildfires. The state of emergency enables coordination of federal, provincial and local resources to protect the public during the management of more than 500 wildfires in B.C.
- For B.C. area closures, regional bulletins and evacuation alerts, visit http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/News.asp
Road closures:
- A travel advisory remains in effect for Highway 93 from Castle Junction to Radium Hot Springs.
- Travellers should plan for reduced speeds, delays and temporary closures. Check www.DriveBC.ca and www.511.Alberta.ca for the most current information.
For Kootenay wildfire updates from Parks Canada, visit
Kootenay National Park updates.
For Banff trail, weather and hazard alerts, visit
Banff National Park visitor safety.