Kootenay National Park confirms five new fires

Yesterday (August 2), a lightning storm passed through Kootenay National Park and five wildfire starts were confirmed.

There is currently no threat to public safety, Highway 93S or infrastructure.

Of the five fire starts, one fire start (KO03) near Dolly Varden day use area is under control.

It was noted in yesterday’s update that a second fire start was near Dolly Varden day use area. It is more accurate to describe this fire start as closer to Crooks Meadow group campground than Dolly Varden. This fire start is on the west side of the highway and identified as KO04. It is approximately 880 metres from Crooks Meadow group campground, which has no campers at this time.

The third fire start (KO05) is in close proximity to KO04. It is located on the west side of Highway 93S. It is approximately 880 metres from Crooks Meadow group campground.

The fourth fire start (KO06) is on the west side of Highway 93S approximately 2.5 km west of the highway and McLeod Meadows campground.

The fifth lightning-caused wildfire (KO07) is on the east side of Highway 93S approximately 1.7 km east of the highway and McLeod Meadows campground. As a pre-emptive measure, Parks Canada has put in an evacuation alert for McLeod Campground. An area closure has also been put in place for Dog Lake trail. For an up-to-date list of area closures, visit: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/kootenay/bulletins

Today, Parks Canada fire crews, with support from helicopters bucketing water, will continue to respond to the fires in order of priority, currently focusing on suppression efforts for KO04, KO05 and KO07. The fires and helicopter bucketing will be highly visible from Highway 93S.

While there is currently no threat to public safety, Highway 93S or infrastructure, it is important that visitors and motorists in Kootenay National Park be prepared as the situation is dynamic and can change easily.