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Kootenay parkway re-opened
Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park has been re-opened to through traffic as the Wardle wildfire fight enters day 10.
“Forecasted extreme hot weather, low humidity and sustained moderate winds for the next 48 hours could increase wildfire activity and cause intermittent closures,” Parks Canada reported today, August 10.
A portion of Highway 93 from the Paint Pots to Olive Lake is currently a ‘no stopping zone’ for the safety of the public and fire personnel.
Motorists should be prepared to wait at road blocks intermittently or long-term with little notice. Travellers should be prepared with enough fuel and supplies in case they are required to turn around and take an alternate route via Highway 1 to Highway 95 at Golden.
Plan ahead. Travelling between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 pm is recommended. Fire activity is more likely to be reduced during these hours. However, smoke may still affect visibility.
The following factors are evaluated when closing and opening the highway: The risk of falling trees onto the highway; Anticipated movement of fire in the area; heavy amounts of smoke that could affect visibility.
For travellers coming from Alberta, Highway 3 at Crowsnest Pass also provides access to the East Kootenay and Columbia Valley.
The Wardle wildfire is now about 2,650 ha in size, with 139 firefighting personnel, 13 helicopters and nine pieces of heavy equipment on the attack today.
No local communities are at risk from Wardle wildfire.
Settlers Road remains accessible. Nipika Mountain Resort is open but on evacuation alert, along with eight other properties in the Cross River area adjacent to Kootenay National Park.
The 36 ha Cross River fire is being managed by BC Wildfire Service and is visible from Kootenay Valley Viewpoint.
All trails, backcountry campgrounds and day-use areas remain closed from Rockwall trail south to Cobb Lake trail, including Kootenay River day-use area, McLeod Meadows Campground, Dog Lake trail, Kootenay River boat access and Kootenay Park Lodge.
Lead image courtesy Parks Canada
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