Record number of illegal campfires in Banff this summer

BANFF – A record number of illegal campfires in Banff National Park this summer has kept initial attack crews busy.

According to Parks Canada, there have been 32 illegal campfires so far compared to the annual average of 14.

Wildlife officials are concerned because of the warm and extremely dry conditions, pointing to devastating wildfires fires in B.C. and California.

“It’s pretty much double the average in the last 10 years,” said Jane Park, a fire and vegetation specialist for Banff National Park.

“People are aware of what’s been going on in B.C. and we want to focus our efforts on lightning-caused fires instead of chasing illegal fires.”

The high number of illegal campfires, many in fire rings made from rocks, has prompted the agency to launch a media campaign to educate visitors about the fire regulations in national parks.

Only metal fire rings, metal fire boxes, or cooking stoves inside shelters are permitted.

“It does not include rock rings that are legal on Crown land in the province. You can’t just create your own rock ring in the park; fires are only allowed in manufactured metal fire pits,” said Park.

“We thought we’d try with education because it feels like a lot of it comes from a lack of understanding of the federal regulations .… because lots of these places people aren’t even really hiding them.”

The 32 illegal campfires so far this season have been found throughout Banff National Park in both backcountry and front country areas such day-use areas and campgrounds, as well as along rivers, in forests and by lakes.

“In the past, we had some really known hotspots for illegal fires right around town where people like to try to have a bush party,” she said.

“But this year they are kind of everywhere; there’s no rhyme or reason to it.”

In two separate cases, the illegal fires jumped from fire rings and quickly spread into surrounding vegetation.

“Our crews were able to respond quickly and get them under control,” said Park. “They were right within the main Bow Valley.”

Currently, the Banff townsite’s fire hazard sits at low to moderate, but the rest of the national park is at moderate to high.

So far this year, there has been one known lightning-struck fire.

On July 28, an initial attack crew tackled a small smouldering fire in the Spray Valley near the Banff Springs golf course as the fire danger hit extreme in Banff.

It was a holdover fire from one of several lightning storms that swept through the Bow Valley and other parts of Banff National Park the previous week.

“Fortunately, we haven’t had many lightning fires this year,” said Park.

“A lot of the lightning has come with a fair bit of rain … so far – knock on wood – we haven’t had many.”

With dry conditions, fires can spread quickly.

“A small campfire, one ember into the dry surrounding vegetation – if it’s dense vegetation – can spread very quickly,” said Park.

“Often people who are starting illegal fires are not very far away from populated areas where visitors are – so safety is definitely a concern.”

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Parks Canada doesn’t want to run its firefighting resources thin.

“We are concerned about the safety of our firefighters and making sure our resources are adequate,” said Park.

“Anything we can do to make sure that our resources are ready for the fires that occur naturally, that’s where we want out focus to be, not chasing this number of illegal fires.”

In addition, fire crews have been called to several unattended fires, even those in designated fire pits.

That’s prompted Parks Canada to remind visitors to have water nearby and extinguish all campfires.

“If the wind picks up, or if a burning log moves, that can also cause wildfires,” said Park.

“We want to make sure people are responsible with the fires that they do have in our designated pits, and put them out before they leave.”

Anyone charged with starting an illegal campfire faces a mandatory court appearance and possible fine of up to $25,000.

If you see any wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke, please report to Banff Emergency Dispatch: 403-762-4506.