During a routine smoke flight Augusts 9, Parks Canada fire crews detected a small wildfire in the Ottertail Pass backcountry area of Kootenay National Park.

There is currently no threat to public safety or infrastructure.

The fire is approximately six hectares in size.

Parks Canada is responding to the fire with two four-person Type 1 fire crews working indirectly, supported by two helicopters.

The fire was caused by lightning from a storm that moved through the area on the evening of August 8.

The fire is currently showing low-intensity fire behaviour and is primarily smouldering or burning with small, low-intensity flames along the ground, resulting in slow fire spread. During warmer afternoon conditions, some increase in fire activity, such as isolated tree candling and darker smoke, could occur.

Most of the smoke currently visible in Kootenay National Park is from wildfires burning elsewhere in British Columbia and the United States. If regional smoke conditions improve, smoke from this fire may become visible from Highway 93 South near the Paint Pots area and from portions of the Rockwall Trail.

To report a wildfire, illegal campfire, or suspicious smoke, contact Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch at 403-762-4506.

Please do not call dispatch for wildfire updates. Keeping phone lines clear helps ensure emergency resources remain available when needed.

Updates will be shared through the Kootenay National Park Facebook page as new information becomes available.

Parks Canada

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