BANFF NATIONAL PARK – A prescribed burn in the Flint's/Stoney Meadows area of Banff National Park sent smoke down the Bow Valley Friday afternoon (Oct. 2).
Parks Canada fire communications officer Alexandria Jones confirmed crews began conducting the prescribed fire Friday and may possibly burn more areas on Saturday (Oct. 3) as well.
🔥 Weather permitting, Parks Canada plans to carry out a prescribed fire in the Flint’s/Stoney Meadows as early as October 2, 2020.
— Banff National Park (@BanffNP) October 1, 2020
An area closure, including some backcountry campgrounds, is in place for the duration of operations ➡️ https://t.co/3rx5tO7Cif pic.twitter.com/oCpckJcJFv
Parks Canada suspended its prescribed fire program earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials said they decided to reinstate the fall schedule for burns after careful analysis and consultation with other fire management agencies.
The Flint's/Stoney Meadows area is 28 kilometres from the Banff townsite in the Cascade Valley.
An area closure is in place for the valley from the confluence of Stoney Creek, upstream to Block Lakes Junction Campground, including for Stoney Creek Campground and the Flint's Park Campground.
