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Highway 93 may close again: Parks Canada
Intermittent highway openings are now in effect for Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park as Parks Canada continues to manage the Wardle wildfire.
The wildfire is active adjacent to Highway 93 on both sides of the road.
Parks Canada reported today (August 6) that there is a high probability that fire operations will require a closure of Highway 93 with no through access as of noon tomorrow, Tuesday, August 7. If needed, this closure may last for approximately 24 hours.
“Parks Canada will only open the highway when it is safe to do so. Safety depends on how intense fire activity becomes during the day, how much the fire moves, if smoke limits visibility and if strong winds could cause fire-weakened trees to fall onto the highway,” Parks Canada noted in an update.
The Wardle wildfire remains at about 1,200 hectares, with 100 personnel, 10 helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment on scene.
If you are heading to the Columbia Valley or Alberta via Highway 93, Parks Canada advises plan ahead. Travelling between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. is recommended. Fire activity is more likely to be reduced during these hours; however, smoke may still affect visibility.
Motorists should be prepared to wait at roadblocks intermittently or long-term with little notice. Travellers should be prepared with enough fuel and supplies in case they are required to take an alternate route via Highway 1 or 95.
Columbia Valley communities and businesses remain open. Areas at the north and south ends of Kootenay National Park, including the Radium Hot Pools. Storm Mountain and Shadow Lake lodges remain accessible.
During highway closures, the south end of Kootenay National Park (Radium Hot Springs to McLeod Meadows) remains open, as well as the north end of the park (from the Junction of the Trans-Canada Highway to Paint Pots).
All trails, backcountry campgrounds and day-use areas remain closed from the Rockwall trail south to the Dolly Varden trail, including the Prospectors Valley area. A wildfire is also burning south of Kootenay National Park, near Cross River on B.C. Crown land that is visible from Kootenay Valley Viewpoint. This wildfire is being managed by BC Wildfire Service.
The Whitetail Creek wildfire, west of Kootenay National Park in the Beaverfoot Valley also continues to be managed by BC Wildfire Service in partnership with Parks Canada.
A fire ban is in place for Kootenay, Yoho and Banff national parks due to elevated fire danger.
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