Fire ban information
Kootenay National Park
Campfires are currently allowed in Kootenay National Park in designated metal fire pits. Keep your fire small and only use firewood provided by the park.
Use of the following items is prohibited during a fire ban
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Use of the following items is permitted during a fire ban
Use of the following items is permitted during a fire ban, with conditions
Portable propane firepits - prohibited at overflow campgrounds
Indoor wood burning stove - in fully enclosed buildings and must be CSA or UL certified
Be fire safe and follow these rules
- Never leave a flame unattended.
- Use equipment that is CSA or UL certified. Look for these symbols or check with the store where it was purchased.
- Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out and discard in a bin.
- Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch: 403-762-4506.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fire ban?
A fire ban is a legal restriction on certain types of fires to prevent human-caused wildfires. In a national park, burning illegally could lead to a fine of up to $25,000.
How does the park decide if a fire ban is needed?
Fire bans are based on local fire hazards, current and forecasted weather conditions, the amount of moisture in vegetation, the regional wildfire situation and the availability of responders and equipment.
Current and forecasted conditions are evaluated on a daily basis.
What is fire danger?
Fire danger is an index that tells us how easily a fire could start, how difficult a fire may be to control and how long a fire might burn.
Fire ban status is determined by long term trends rather than daily weather or fire danger.
Why is there a fire ban even though it is cold and rainy?
It takes a lot of rain to restore moisture to deep soil layers, trees, and logs that have dried out. Rain quickly evaporates when followed by warm temperatures and wind. This means fire danger can quickly return to high or extreme.
The regional wildfire situation may be more active. It is important for Parks Canada not to have human-caused fires that may divert resources from active wildfires in other areas.
Is a fire restriction the same as a fire ban?
No, when fire restrictions are implemented certain types of fires are still allowed that wouldn’t be if a fire ban was implemented.
Fire restrictions may prohibit the use of:
- Campfires or other open fires at all day use areas, unsupervised frontcountry campgrounds and backcountry campgrounds
- Fireworks and firecrackers
- Sky lanterns
Type of fires allowed during a fire restriction include:
- Campfires contained within designated fire rings at supervised campgrounds
- Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques
- Wood stoves in permanent structures (Backcountry, OCA Cabins, Picnic shelters) with flues
If you are unsure, please email feullyk-llykfire@pc.gc.ca.
Does a provincial fire ban apply to national parks?
No. Unlike provincial areas, national parks are always in a state of fire restriction. Fires within national parks are only ever permitted in designated fire pits where the surrounding area has been assessed and cleared of vegetation/debris that could allow a fire to spread. In national parks, fires outside of designated fire pits are illegal year-round regardless of fire and weather conditions.
In addition, conditions such as weather, elevation and forest health are not always the same in the province and national parks.
For more information on fire bans within the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, please visit:
Where can I have a fire once a fire ban is lifted?
When fires are allowed, they must be in metal fire pits or boxes provided by Parks Canada. Fires are not permitted in any backcountry campground in Kootenay National Park, even if you see a fire pit. Random fires are never allowed.
More information
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