Current wildfire status

Mount Kindersley Wildfire

Wednesday July 19, 11:00 a.m.

This week, Parks Canada fire management crews continue to respond to the Mount Kindersley Wildfire in southern Kootenay National Park, approximately 4km west of Highway 93S and the Kootenay River Day-Use Area. Intermittent rain over the last week has helped to keep fire behavior low and allowed crews to safely action the fire. It remains a smoldering ground fire, with minimal growth since July 10 and is currently an estimated 8 hectares in size. Diffuse white smoke has been visible at times from Highway 93S.

Today, 3 Parks Canada initial attack crews along with 2 helicopters are continuing direct attack on the north, east and south flanks. The western flank of the fire is bound by sparse fuels and large rock features that act as a natural barrier. Objectives this week include continued danger tree assessing and falling, mop-up of remaining hotspots and patrol. This fire is in steep terrain and firefighter safety is Parks Canada’s top priority.

Additional updates will be provided on this fire if there are changes to report such as significant growth or threats to public safety or infrastructure.

Parks Canada fire alerts

Mount Kindersley Wildfire

Tuesday July 11, 1:30 p.m.

Response efforts continue on the Mount Kindersley Wildfire today. Gusty winds late yesterday contributed to some growth upslope to the west and to the north of the fire which is now an estimated 5 hectares in size. Today, two initial attack crews are establishing water access along the fire's perimeter. Two helicopters are supporting with bucketing and transportation of suppression equipment.

This is a higher elevation surface fire that is burning primarily in spruce and balsam forest.

There is no threat to public safety or infrastructure at this time. There are no impacts to roads.

Mount Kindersley Wildfire

Monday July 10, 2:45 p.m.

On Sunday, July 9 at 9:00pm, Parks Canada received reports of a new wildfire on Mount Kindersley in Kootenay National Park, approximately 4 km west of Highway 93S. The fire is an estimated 2 hectares in size and is lightning caused. It is burning in steep terrain; one helicopter will be supporting one Parks Canada initial attack crew with response efforts today. Smoke and flame have been visible from Highway 93S.

There is no threat to public safety or infrastructure at this time. There are no impacts to roads.

Mitchell Ridge Wildfire - Tuesday June 6, 12:30 p.m.

The Mitchell Ridge Wildfire is considered ‘Under Control’, meaning it has received sufficient suppression action to ensure there is no further spread. Firefighting resources are no longer needed on the Kootenay National Park portion of the fire. Parks Canada will continue to monitor for any unanticipated fire activity.

For the foreseeable future, we strongly discourage visitor access to the wildfire perimeter as there are new hazards like deep ash pits and falling trees due to weakened root systems.

This will be our last operational post on the Mitchell Ridge Wildfire unless there are changes to report.

Mitchell Ridge Wildfire - Thursday May 25, 12:30 p.m.

The Mitchell Ridge Wildfire is now ‘Being held’ at 307 hectares. 

Today, 29 Parks Canada crew members are working the fire in Kootenay National Park and 28 BC Wildfire Service crew members are on the provincial portion of the fire. Two helicopters continue to support ground crews.

Parks Canada crews continue to work towards full extinguishment. Hose lay is complete along the south perimeter. Danger tree falling tree falling continues on the west flank and crews will continue to widen the wet line along the south and west flanks. Patrol continues on the northern perimeter where terrain is particularly rough.

Little smoke is currently visible from Highway 93S.

There continues to be no threat to public safety, infrastructure or roads at this time. 

Mitchell Ridge Wildfire - Tuesday May 23, 12:30 p.m.

After 24 mm of rain yesterday, activity on the Mitchell Ridge Wildfire has further slowed and is an estimated 288 hectares in size. We don’t anticipate further growth on the perimeter this week

Today, our crews are capitalizing on the downturn in the weather. 33 Parks Canada firefighters, supported by 2 helicopters are falling danger trees, reinforcing hose lay on the south and west flanks and patrolling the northern perimeter for spotting.

Since yesterday, much less smoke has been visible from Highway 93S.

This is a lightning-caused wildfire and is considered ‘Out of Control’. There is no threat to public safety, infrastructure or roads at this time.

The fire danger rating for the park is now ‘low’.

Our next update will be posted on Thursday 25 unless there are significant changes on the fire.

Mitchell Ridge Wildfire - Monday, May 22, 12:00 p.m.

Growth on the Mitchell Ridge Wildfire has slowed and is currently estimated at 259 hectares.

Full suppression efforts are underway with the goal of extinguishment. Today, 24 firefighters and are reinforcing containment with hose lines along the south and south-west flanks of the fire. 4 helicopters will continue to support ground crews by bucketing hot spots.

Mitchell Ridge received minimal rain last night, but steady showers and lighter winds are expected today. This should ease fire behavior, allowing safer access to the head of the fire.

This is a lightning-caused wildfire and is considered ‘Out of Control’. There is no threat to public safety, infrastructure or roads at this time.

Our next update will be posted tomorrow unless there are significant changes on the fire.

Mitchell Ridge Wildfire - Sunday, May 21, 12:15 p.m.

As anticipated, the Mitchell Ridge Wildfire was active yesterday afternoon due to variable, gusty winds and above average temperatures reaching 30 degrees. The fire is an estimated 190 hectares in size. This growth was primarily seen at the northern flank where it is burning in a forest stand with higher levels of fuel loading.

Today, 23 firefighters and 3 helicopters are focusing on reinforcing containment on the southwest flank and minimizing growth into areas of blowdown that are more challenging to suppress. Fire behavior is expected to ease by early this week with the forecasted precipitation and a return to lower seasonal temperatures.

This is a lightning caused wildfire and is considered ‘Out of Control’. There is no threat to public safety, infrastructure or roads at this time.

Our next update will be posted tomorrow unless there are significant changes on the fire.

Mitchell Ridge Wildfire - Saturday, May 20, 11:30 a.m.

Parks Canada is continuing full suppression efforts on the Mitchell Ridge Wildfire in southern Kootenay National Park. Smoke is highly visible from Highway 93S near the Kootenay Valley Viewpoint. The fire is now an estimated 40 hectares in size and has reached the eastern park boundary at Mitchell Ridge where rate of growth has slowed due to a change in aspect and fuel type.

Today, three helicopters and 16 firefighters are working on containment within the park, focusing on the western flank of the fire as conditions allow. Fire activity is expected to increase later today due to hot and dry conditions and increased potential for wind gusts. By Monday, May 22, cooler temperatures and precipitation are forecasted which would aid fire suppression activities.

This is a lightning caused wildfire and is considered ‘Out of Control’ at this time. There is no immediate threat to public safety or infrastructure.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Mitchell Ridge Wildfire - Friday, May 19, 1:00 p.m.

Parks Canada is responding to an estimated 21 hectare wildfire in the Mitchell Ridge area of southern Kootenay National Park, approximately 2 km east of the Kootenay Valley Viewpoint and 7 km north of Nipika Mountain Resort. Smoke is visible from Highway 93S and flames were visible overnight. The fire is considered 'Out of Control' at this time. There is no immediate threat to public safety or infrastructure. Today, two helicopters and three initial attack crews are on scene. It is believed to be lightning caused.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.