Verdant Creek wildfire results in spot fires on Highway 93 South
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Burning embers from the Verdant Creek wildfire have resulted in spot fires on the west side of Highway 93 S. as the blaze continues to grow closer to the road.
In a Parks Canada information bulletin, officials said ground crews are working to halt the spread of the fire and helicopters are bucketing water on the highway in Kootenay National Park.
“The north part of the fire has not grown in size and remains on the west side of the Continental Divide,” said Parks Canada. “Crews are working directly on the fire’s edge on the north to suppress the fire.”
The fire poses no threat to local communities or the Bow and Colombia valleys, but residents should expect to see increased smoke as the temperature rises.
Sunshine Village and Sunshine Village Road remain closed in Banff National Park, as well as the Ball Pass area from the junction of Whistling Pass, all trails in the Egypt Lake area and backcountry campgrounds.
Similarly, the southern portion of the Rockwall Trail from Floe Lake trailhead on Highway 93 S. to Tumbling Pass are closed in Kootenay National Park. The area northwest of Honeymoon Pass Trail and the Verdant Creek and Simpson River areas are also closed.
A fire ban remains in effect in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.
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