Fire information and updates

The fire near Carrot Creek is now classified as EXTINGUISHED.

Thank you to the fire crew members for their quick response. This is the final update related to this incident.

The small wildfire (0.17 ha.) reported yesterday on the upper slopes of the Fairholme range just west of Carrot Creek is now classified as UNDER CONTROL.

Within 10 minutes of receiving the fire report, Parks Canada dispatched fire response resources, including three intermediate helicopter bucketing, two Parks Canada fire crews along with an additional fire crew from Alberta Wildfire. Thanks to the quick response and work of fire crews, the fire was brought under control yesterday evening, in just under 5 hrs of the initial fire detection.

There is currently no threat to the public, infrastructure, or the communities of Banff, Harvie Heights, or Canmore.

The fire was caused by lightening and burned in the footprint of the Fairholme Prescribed Burn Unit that was burned in 2003, which is contributed to favourable ground fuel conditions for the suppression of this fire.

We will provide a final update once the fire is confirmed to be extinguished.

Parks Canada is currently responding to a small lightning caused wildfire (approximately 0.17 hectares) on the upper slopes of the Fairholme range just west of Carrot Creek, in Banff National Park. Parks Canada immediately initiated suppression actions and dispatched resources to the fire; the wildfire is currently classified as BEING HELD. This means that the wildfire is not likely to spread beyond its current perimeter under prevailing and forecasted conditions.

There is currently no threat to the public, infrastructure, or the communities of Banff, Harvie Heights, or Canmore.

Parks Canada fire crews along with additional crews from Alberta Wildfire and helicopter supports were dispatched and on route to the fire location within 10 minutes of the initial smoke report. As is shown in the images attached to this update, fire activity on-site is currently low.

Ongoing fire response activities and smoke may be visible from the Trans-Canada Highway, between Banff and Canmore. The fire is burning in the footprint of the Fairholme Prescribed Burn Unit that was burned in 2003, which is contributing to favourable ground fuel conditions for the suppression of this fire.

We will provide an update when new information of note is available or the fire status changes.

Status update: Extinguished

The fire near Red Earth and Pharaoh Creeks junction is now classified as extinguished as of yesterday evening.

Thank you to the fire crew members for their quick response. This is the final update related to this incident.

Status update: Under Control

Thanks to the work of fire crew members, with support from a helicopter bucketing, the fire near Red Earth and Pharaoh Creeks junction was brought under control yesterday evening. Fire crew members will return to the site this morning to confirm full extinguishment.

We will post a final update for this fire once we confirm it is extinguished. There continues to be no current threat to the public, infrastructure, or communities.

Parks Canada is currently responding to a small fire (<0.2 ha) in the backcountry of Banff National Park, just south of the Red Earth and Pharoh Creeks junction. Parks Canada is actively suppressing the fire with support of one intermediate helicopter bucketing, additional ground crew resources are on route. Fire response activities and smoke may be visible from the Egypt Lake area.

There is currently no threat to the public, infrastructure, or communities. We will provide an update when new information of note is available or the fire status changes. Reminder: A fire ban is currently in place in Banff National Park.  

You can report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch: (403) 762-4506.

*Do not call dispatch for updates on wildfires. This reduces resources for emergency events. Updates are provided through Banff National Park Facebook page as new information of note is available.

While there is no current threat to public safety, now is the time to be prepared as situations are dynamic and can change easily. Sign up for Voyent Alert to receive emergency information in Banff National Park.