BANFF – Strong winds, above-average temperatures and low humidity whipped up a prescribed fire in a remote area of Banff National Park, spreading onto provincial lands and now burning out-of-control.
Parks Canada and Alberta Wildfire responded to the fire Thursday (Oct. 20) in the Panther River and Dormer Valley region, which was estimated to be about 500 hectares on provincial lands by Friday morning (Oct. 21). Alberta Wildfire said Friday (Oct. 21) the wildfire is estimated to be about 669 hectares after more accurate mapping was utilized.
Parks Canada has not said how big the fire is on national park lands.
“As a result of low humidity and high overnight winds, the Dormer Valley prescribed fire has experienced growth on the eastern national park boundary, crossing onto provincial lands,” said Alexandria Jones, fire information officer for Banff National Park.
The fire danger is currently rated as high.
Out-of-control means the wildfire is expected to continue growing.
As of Thursday morning, there were two helicopters, a four-person Parks Canada crew, a four-person Alberta Wildfire crew, and one incident commander/assessor from Alberta Wildfire responding. By Friday afternoon, there were up to 22 wildland firefighters and personnel, with four helicopters dumping water on the fire.
According to an Alberta Wildfire statement on late Thursday, personnel on site also include resources dedicated to deploying sprinklers on cabins and outfitters camps in the area.
"Additional resources will be deployed as necessary over the coming days," states Alberta Wildfire.
"Incoming cooler temperatures and precipitation this weekend are expected to help suppression efforts."
According to a Parks Canada update released on Thursday evening at about 7:30 p.m., both agencies have been monitoring the Dormer Valley prescribed fire closely since the start of prescribed fire operations in early September.
While there are some trapper cabins and some outfitters on provincial lands in the region, the province has indicated there is no immediate threat to infrastructure.
Alberta Wildfire officials say Albertans are asked to avoid the area as crews and helicopters are working.
“The wildfire is currently classified as out-of-control and estimated at 500 hectares,” said Colby Lachance, information officer for Alberta Wildfire.
The Dormer prescribed fire, located about 45 km north of the Banff townsite, was initially lit in early September.
With the use of prescribed fire, the aim was for dense forests within the Dormer Valley will be opened up and grassland meadows will be restored. These meadows provide critical, year-round habitat for mountain sheep, goats, grizzly bears, wolves, elk and the newly introduced bison herd.
According to Parks Canada’s important bulletins, this area of the park was closed Aug. 26 until Oct. 31 “to ensure public safety during prescribed fire operations.”
The closure for the prescribed burn included the Dormer Valley from the trail junction of the Dormer Pass trail and Stoney Pass trail to the eastern boundary of Banff National Park; the Panther Valley from Windy Cabin to the eastern boundary of Banff National Park; Elkhorn Summit and both east and west shortcut trails.
Meanwhile, Parks Canada fire specialists are also actively monitoring an approximately 600-hectare backcountry wildfire that has been burning since Friday (Oct. 14).
The wildfire is located west of Glacier Lake on Highway 93 North, also known as the Icefields Parkway.
Smoke and flames are currently visible from certain sections of Highway 93 North.
“The public, infrastructure, and lands outside the park are not at risk from this wildfire,” said Jones.
“For public safety, an area closure is in place for the Glacier Lake Valley.”
According to Alberta Wildfire, there are currently 58 wildfires burning throughout Alberta, including four that started in the last 48 hours.
