Fire information and updates

What’s happening?

Parks Canada fire crews continue to focus on wildfire risk reduction projects in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.

Projects include:

Mount Revelstoke National Park

• Removing danger trees, bucking, limbing and piling wood and forest debris for pile burning on the Lower Slopes.
• If weather, venting and resource conditions allow, pile burning will be conducted on the Lower Slopes and near Columbia Viewpoint.

Glacier National Park

• Reducing vegetation around buildings and infrastructure.
• If weather, venting and resource conditions allow, pile burning will be conducted in various locations in Glacier National Park.

What to expect?

Starting Monday, October 06, smoke from pile burning near Columbia Viewpoint and on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke National Park may be visible from the Trans-Canada Highway and from the City of Revelstoke.

If weather permits, pile burning on Mount Revelstoke and Glacer National Park will continue through the month of October in operational areas. There are no planned closures to trails or visitor facilities.

Always check for trail condition and closure updates before visiting the parks.

Why?

Pile burning is a necessary step for reducing wildfire risk after removing vegetation around buildings and infrastructure and piling wood and forest debris.

Through safe and effective fire management, we are reducing the risk of wildfire to the public, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands while improving the ecological health of our forests.

For more information:

Fire Management Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks
Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

What’s happening?

Cycling and walking is now allowed on Meadows in the Sky Parkway. The Eagle Knoll trail and Panorama Point at the Summit have also reopened. Thank you for your patience while fire crews removed danger trees near these areas.

For safety, the prescribed fire area and the Lindmark and Summit trails remain closed above the Monashee Picnic Area (km 7.5).

Please continue to drive with care and watch for crews working along the road.

What to expect?

The Parks Canada fire management team will continue to work on this prescribed fire project throughout the fall. This work includes, danger tree removal, site assessments, and monitoring the site for possible increased fire behaviour. It is still possible to see some smoke, flame and helicopters flying.

Reminder: The recreational use of drones in all national parks is prohibited year-round. This is especially important when helicopters are in the area. If drones are in the air, helicopters can’t fly. This compromises fire operations work.

Anyone caught operating a drone within park boundaries and without an approved permit may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act and face a fine of up to $25,000.

For more information:

Fire Management Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks
Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

What’s happening?

Meadows in the Sky Parkway will reopen with restrictions starting tomorrow at noon (Thursday, September 11 at 12 PM). To ensure the safety of visitors and fire crews working in the area, some areas and activities will remain restricted or temporarily closed.

The Parks Canada fire management team will continue to work on this prescribed fire project throughout the fall. This work includes helicopter bucketing on remaining hot spots, danger tree removal, site assessments, and monitoring the site for possible increased fire behaviour.

REMINDER! The recreational use of drones in all National Parks is prohibited year-round. This is especially important when helicopters are in the area. If drones are in the air, helicopters can’t fly. This compromises fire operations work.

Anyone caught operating a drone within park boundaries and without an approved permit may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act and face a fine of up to $25,000.

What to expect

Due to prescribed fire activity and hazardous trees, restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of visitors and crews working.

Restrictions and Closures

• There is a no-stopping zone between Caribou Cabin (km 21) and Panorama Point (km 24). Drive with care and watch for crews working along the road.
• Cycling and walking is not allowed beyond Caribou Cabin (km 21).
• Panorama Point (km 24) will remain closed until further notice.
• Parking will be limited as no roadside parking will be allowed at the summit.
• The Lindmark and Summit trails will remain closed until next season above the Monashee Picnic Area (km 7.5).
• Eagle Knoll trail at the Summit of Mount Revelstoke will also remain closed until next season.
• For trail condition and closure updates visit: https://parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails

Continued prescribed fire operations

Visitors can expect to see:

• Fire crews and helicopters working on the mountain.
• Some smoke, flame, structural protection and fire suppression equipment (please don’t touch) helicopters flying and helicopter water bucketing may be visible from various locations on Mount Revelstoke and from the City of Revelstoke throughout the fall.

For more information:

Fire Management Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks
Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

What’s happening?

Helicopter ignition is now complete and following cool temperatures, cloud cover and increased humidity, fire activity within the prescribed fire area remains low.

The Fire Management Team would like to thank the community of Revelstoke for their patience and support comments while this important wildfire risk-reduction project is actioned.

Today (Sat, Sept 06) fire crew began extinguishing priority areas by using hose on the ground and they started to remove danger trees near trails and the Parkway Road. This work will continue tomorrow (Sun, Sept 07) and throughout the week. Danger tree removal, site assessments, and monitoring will continue throughout the fall.

This will be the final prescribed fire update for this operation unless conditions change. Further updates will be provided when it is safe to remove the Meadows in the Sky Parkway closure.

What to expect?

• The closure on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails above the Columbia Viewpoint will remain in place until further notice. When it’s safe to reopen, restrictions to certain areas may continue throughout the fall. For trail condition and closure updates visit: https://parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails
• Some smoke, flame, helicopters flying and helicopter water bucketing may be visible from the City of Revelstoke tomorrow (Sun, Sept 07) and throughout the week. This is a normal part of prescribed fire operations; the fire needs to be safe before the mountain can reopen to visitors.

Smoke and weather information

Many areas in western Canada are currently impacted by wildfire smoke. Smoke in the Revelstoke area is expected to continue over the next the next 24 hours. Rain and cool temperatures are forecasted starting Sunday evening and throughout next week. Revelstoke smoke and weather forecast information can be found on the Environment Canada website at weather.gc.ca If you’re travelling, Drive BC has webcams for most communities in BC which can help you view smoke conditions. This website also helps you stay prepared on the highway by listing highway conditions and road closures.

Additional information resources

Prescribed fire planning is a complex process. Each prescribed fire plan can take years to complete and describes the exact conditions needed before ignition occurs. These conditions include wind speed, moisture in the air and vegetation, drought code, landscape topography, barriers to fire spread, equipment and personnel resources etc. The safety of the public, our crews, park infrastructure and neighbouring lands is always Parks Canada’s top priority and prescribed fire operations do not go ahead if exact conditions are not met.

To learn more about the Parks Canada fire management program, including the benefits of prescribed fire, the role of fire ecology, reducing the risk of wildfires, Indigenous fire stewardship, fire management history, and more, please visit the Parks Canada fire management website.

For more information:

Fire Management Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks
Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

What’s happening?

Today’s (September 05) operations were successful, and residents and visitors can expect to see this work continue over the weekend.

Parks Canada would like to thank the community of Revelstoke, BC, for their patience during the Lindmark and Parkway Bend prescribed fire operations in Mount Revelstoke National Park. Support from the community is deeply appreciated as these essential risk-reduction efforts are carried out.

Prescribed fires are only done under very specific, pre-determined conditions. Fire management specialists assess weather and environmental conditions starting weeks in advance and continue these assessments right up to the moments before the decision to start the prescribed fire is made.

The safety of the public, our crews, park infrastructure and neighbouring lands is always Parks Canada’s top priority. Prescribed fire operations will not go ahead unless exact conditions are met, and fire specialists are taking advantage of a good weather window to complete this important work.

What can you expect?

The area closure for Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails above the Columbia Viewpoint will remain in place until further notice.

As part of normal prescribed fire operations, the public may observe:

• Fire crews and equipment
• Helicopters and possible bucketing as required
• Smoke
• Flames (day and night)

On Saturday September 06, the operational focus will shift to making the prescribed fire area safe for visitors to return as soon as possible. There will be helicopters visible throughout the weekend while they assess the prescribed fire area and perform bucketing operations as needed. This is a normal part of prescribed fire operations.

Why does this fire appear much larger than previous prescribed fires in Mount Revelstoke?

Current prescribed fire operations are larger and require higher intensity fire than the previous prescribed fire work completed on Mount Revelstoke Lower Slopes in the spring.

The goal for the Lower Slopes prescribed fire was to burn off surface vegetation within an already established fuel break on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke. The prescription required a low intensity surface fire to reduce forest fuels.

The goal for the Upper Parkway and Lindmark prescribed fires are to establish a landscape-level fuel break. The prescription requires a moderate-high intensity fire to limit the potential for wildfire spread on the front face of Mount Revelstoke, while maintaining and resorting ecological integrity.

Wildfire update

There is one new wildfire in Glacier National Park. The fire is lightning-caused and was detected on September 04. It is currently estimated to be less than 1 hectare in size. It is burning in a remote area in the Beaver Valley. Parks Canada crews assessed this fire via helicopter and will continue to monitor via a remote camera. Smoke from this fire may be visible from the Trans-Canada Highway and the Beaver Valley Trail.

In addition to this new fire, there are three known lightning-caused wildfires in remote areas of Glacier and Mount Revelstoke national parks. None of these fires currently pose a threat to infrastructure or communities.

These fires have shown limited activity and growth and continue to be managed using an appropriate response strategy.

Updates on these fires will be provided if the situation changes. The safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands is Parks Canada’s top priority.

For more information:

Fire Management Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks
Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

What’s Happening?

Today’s prescribed fire operation on Mount Revelstoke was successful. Fire Management Specialists plan to continue this important wildfire risk reduction work tomorrow, as current weather and site conditions remain within the specific parameters required for safe and effective prescribed fire.

Fire management specialists are taking advantage of the whole burning day, you can expect updates by approximately 10 pm daily until operations have ceased.

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails above the Columbia Viewpoint on Mount Revelstoke will remain closed until further notice. For trail condition and closure updates visit: https://parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails

As part of normal prescribed fire operations, the public may observe:

• Fire crews and equipment
• Helicopter ignition and bucketing
• Smoke
• Flames (day and night)
• Ash

The goal of this operation is to create a landscape level fuel break that will limit the spread of wildfire on the front face of Mount Revelstoke, while maintaining and restoring ecological integrity. This is an important step in reducing wildfire risk to the community of Revelstoke.

Additional Information

Parks Canada wants to remind you that heavy smoke from other fires burning in Western Canada has begun moving into the region and is expected to become denser and more visible in the coming days. You can see current and forecast conditions for wildfire smoke affecting the region.

Please take precautions if you’re sensitive to smoke and check local air quality updates regularly. Visit AirHealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.

Want to know more?

Drop by the fire information tent on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway today from 11 am - 4 pm.

For more information:

Fire Management Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks
Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

What's happening?

Today’s prescribed fire operation on Mount Revelstoke was successful. Parks Canada Fire Management Program intends to continue work on the prescribed fire to further this important risk-reduction work.

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails above the Columbia Viewpoint on Mount Revelstoke will remain closed until further notice. For trail condition and closure updates visit: https://parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails

Smoke, ash, and flame may be visible to the City of Revelstoke, including nighttime flame. Tomorrow, helicopter bucketing and ignition may also be visible. Work is expected to continue this week and potentially over the weekend as prescription (weather) conditions allow.

Please note that smoke from other fires burning in Western Canada is beginning to move into the region, and is expected to become denser and more visible in the coming days. Please take precautions if you’re sensitive to smoke and check local air quality updates regularly. Visit www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.

Additional information

Prescribed fires are only conducted under specific conditions (e.g. weather, moisture, wind direction, supporting resources, etc.) and will only go forward when the safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure and neighbouring lands can be assured.

Safety is always the top priority for Parks Canada in all fire management operations. Parks Canada does prescribed fires on Parks Canada administered lands to help maintain and restore ecological integrity and biodiversity, to promote ecosystem conservation and restoration, and to reduce the risk of wildfire to nearby communities.

Want to know more?

Drop by the fire information tent on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway today from 11:00 - 4:00 PM.

For more information

Fire Information Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks

Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

Subscribe to our mailing list.

What’s happening?

Closure Notice: Meadows in the Sky Parkway

For your safety and that of fire crews during prescribed fire operations, the Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails above Columbia Viewpoint at 12km are closed to all traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. This closure is effective Tuesday, Sept 2 at 2:00PM and will remain until Friday Sept 5 or until it’s safe to reopen.

Prescribed Fire Update

Starting tomorrow (Wed, Sept 03), Parks Canada fire crews will use prescribed fire with the goal of creating a landscape level fuel break that will limit the spread of wildfire on the front face of Mount Revelstoke, while maintaining and restoring ecological integrity.

Prescribed fires are only conducted under specific conditions (e.g. weather, moisture, wind direction, supporting resources, etc.) and will only go forward when the safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure and neighbouring lands can be assured.

Safety is always the top priority for Parks Canada in all fire management operations. Parks Canada does prescribed fires on Parks Canada administered lands to help maintain and restore ecological integrity and biodiversity, to promote ecosystem conservation and restoration, and to reduce the risk of wildfire to nearby communities.

What to expect?

Smoke and flame from prescribed fire may be visible from the City of Revelstoke. Helicopter ignition and bucketing may also take place. If it’s safe and operations are complete, the park will reopen on Friday.

Smoke from the remote wildfire may also be visible from the City of Revelstoke and the Trans Canada Highway. Parks Canada fire crews will continue to monitor this fire an update will be provided if the situation changes.

For more information

Fire Information Team, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks

Fireinfo-mrg-infofeu@pc.gc.ca / Tel : 250-837-7569

Subscribe to our mailing list.

What’s Happening?

Prescribed Fire Update

Starting Wednesday, Sept 03, Parks Canada fire crews will use prescribed fire with the goal of creating a landscape level fuel break on the front face of Mount Revelstoke. This will help to limit fire spread if there is a wildfire start in that area while maintaining and restoring ecological integrity.

For your safety and that of the fire crews during the prescribed fire operations, the Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails above the Columbia Viewpoint will be closed as of 2pm tomorrow (Sept 02) until Friday or until it’s safe to reopen. For trail condition and closure updates visit: parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails

Prescribed fires are conducted under specific conditions (e.g. weather, moisture, wind direction, supporting resources, etc.) and will only go forward when the safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure and neighbouring lands can be assured.

Wildfire

Today (Sept 01), a wildfire was reported in the backcountry of Mount Revelstoke National Park. The fire is in a remote area surrounded by rock and multiple avalanche paths. These features limit wildfire spread and there is currently no threat to public safety or infrastructure. This fire was initially reported on August 19, following a storm with lightning. The fire was no longer visible, however, when Parks Canada crews responded. The fire may have been burning in the ground and has now flared up due to recent hot and dry conditions.

What to expect

The Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails will be closed to all traffic above Columbia Viewpoint including cyclists and pedestrians as of Tuesday, September 2 at 2:00 PM.

Smoke and flame from prescribed fire may be visible from the City of Revelstoke. Helicopter ignition and bucketing may also take place. If it’s safe and operations are complete, the park will reopen on Friday.

Smoke from the remote wildfire may also be visible from the City of Revelstoke and the Trans Canada Highway. Parks Canada fire crews will continue to monitor this fire an update will be provided if the situation changes.

What's happening?

On Friday, August 1, a small lightning-caused wildfire was reported below Ross Peak in Glacier National Park. It is currently estimated to be less than 0.1 hectares in size.

What you need to know

Thanks to cool weather and high amounts of local rainfall, minimal fire activity or smoke has been observed, and the fire has not grown significantly. There is currently no threat to public safety or infrastructure, and there are no impacts to roads or area closures in place as a result of this fire.

The current fire danger rating for both Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks is low.

Why is this fire not being put out?

Parks Canada makes decisions on wildfire response based on a carefully developed Fire Management Plan. Fire specialists carefully consider before deciding between fully suppressing a wildfire or applying a modified response. Considerations include:

• How close the fire is to communities, infrastructure, or neighbouring lands
• Current and forecasted fire weather
• Time of year
• Current and potential fire load
• Current and anticipated resource availability
• Location and feasibility of nearby features for containment

Ultimately, safety is our top priority. Should some of the above conditions not be favourable, full suppression may be implemented to reduce the risk of negative impacts of the fire.

What to expect

With warmer, drier weather beginning to move through the area, it is possible that this fire may become active again, and smoke may be visible from the Trans-Canada Highway between Loop Brook Campground and Hemlock Grove Day Use Area.

Fire specialists will continue to monitor this fire and have mitigation and suppression strategies in place should they be needed.

Updates

This will be the final update for this fire, unless the situation significantly changes.

What's happening?

Last night, August 1, a wildfire was reported below Ross peak in Glacier National Park. The fire started from a lightning strike during last night's storms. Smoke from the fire is visible from the Trans Canada Highway between Loop Brook Campground and Hemlock Grove Day Use Area.

What to expect

The fire is in a remote area and there is currently no threat to public safety or infrastructure.

Parks Canada fire crews will continue to monitor the situation.

Current fire danger rating is low with more rain forecast for today, and cool weather expected for next week.

What's happening?

There are currently no active wildfires in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks, and the fire danger rating in both parks is low.

We have received a lot of precipitation this summer but that does not mean that things will not change, fire conditions change quickly – please visit our website for current information.

Campfires are currently allowed in designated front country metal fire pits with the purchase of a fire permit. Backcountry campfires are never allowed in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks. No fire pit means no campfire, illegal campfires pose a serious threat and increase the risk of human-caused wildfires.

Remember! Keep campfires small, only use firewood provided by the park, before leaving your fire ensure it is fully extinguished soak, stir, soak your fire again.

Wildfire risk reduction update

Wildfire risk reduction measures like prescribed fire are used for wildfire mitigation and preparedness.

Planned Prescribed Fires

Parks Canada will continue using prescribed fire on Mount Revelstoke to maintain effective fuel breaks. Prescribed fire is only used when specific conditions are met and it’s safe for people, crews, buildings, and neighbouring lands.

It can take years to get the right conditions to light a prescribed fire. The specific conditions needed must consider:

• current and forecasted weather
• wind speed and direction
• moisture content in the trees, soil and air
• natural or man-made barriers (fire guards and fire breaks) to limit fire spread
• availability of resources; and consideration of the impacts on visitors and neighbouring communities.

Having plans in place and maintaining on the ground preparations ensures that if the right conditions are achieved, Parks Canada fire management teams are ready to proceed at short notice. The following prescribed fires are planned for Mount Revelstoke and could proceed this year should conditions allow.

• Parkway Bend prescribed fire, a continuation of work initiated in 2020.
• Lindmark prescribed fire near the Parkway Bend site to support completion of a fire break on the front face of the mountain.

Through safe and effective fire management, we are reducing the risk of wildfire to the public, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands while improving the ecological health of our forests.

More information will be shared when conditions are met and before planned prescribed fires are in progress.

Prescribed fire update

In late April, Parks Canada fire crew used prescribed fire on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke, targeting surface vegetation within an established fuel break. This strengthened previous work, where crews completed forest thinning and pile burning to selectively remove larger forest fuels.

Favourable spring weather made it possible to safely apply low-intensity surface fire to remove fine forest fuels like twigs, leaves, and needles. About 75-90% of these fuels were consumed across 7.61 hectares within the prescribed fire area.

Wildfire preparedness

The safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands is Parks Canada’s top priority. Parks Canada is ready to respond to wildfire starts with two four-person Initial Attack crews stationed in Revelstoke. The Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks fire management team supports wildfire response both in-park and regionally and with some supporting on a national scale.

In order to keep our parks safe a fire ban may be implemented to prevent human caused wildfires. 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. Below is a great reminder of what you can and cannot use in a fire ban!

What's happening?

Update: 4:30 PM on April 27 - The Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke have been reopened following successful prescribed fire operations. Thank you for respecting these closures.

Today (Sunday, April 27), weather permitting, Parks Canada’s fire management specialists plan to continue work on the lower slopes prescribed fire.

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke remain closed until further notice. For trail condition and closure updates visit: https://parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails

Smoke will be visible on Mount Revelstoke during ignition.

Want to know more?

Drop by the fire information tent on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway today from 10:00 - 4:00 PM (or while prescribed fire operations are active).

Report any new wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch at 877-852-3100.

What's happening?

Today (Friday, April 25), Parks Canada’s fire management specialists plan to ignite the lower slopes prescribed fire to strengthen a fuel break between Mount Revelstoke and the City of Revelstoke. Last week's operation on Friday, April 18 was successful, and Parks Canada fire crews intend to ignite another section of the prescribed fire to continue this important risk-reduction work.

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke are closed until further notice. For trail condition and closure updates visit: https://parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails

Smoke will be visible on Mount Revelstoke during ignition. Work is expected to continue over the weekend and potentially over the next few weeks as prescription (weather) conditions allow.

Want to know more?

Drop by the fire information tent on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway today from 11:00 - 4:00 PM.

Report any new wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch at 877-852-3100.

What’s happening?

Starting as early as Friday, April 25, Parks Canada fire crews will continue to use prescribed fire to burn off the surface vegetation within a fuel break on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke. Last week’s operation on Friday, April 18 was successful, and Parks Canada fire crews intend to ignite another section of the prescribed fire to continue this important risk-reduction work.

Prescribed fires are only conducted under specific conditions (e.g. weather, moisture, wind direction, supporting resources, etc.) and will only go forward when the safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure and neighbouring lands can be assured.

Why?

Prescribed fire is the most effective way to remove ground-level forest fuels and strengthen the fuel break. Through safe and effective fire management, we are reducing the risk of wildfire to the public, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands while improving the ecological health of our forests. Reducing forest fuels in this area contributes to wildfire risk reduction actions in and around the City of Revelstoke.

What to expect:

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway and trails on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke will be closed starting at 3pm on Thursday, April 24 and until further notice. For trail condition and closure updates visit: pc.gc.ca/revelstoketrails.

Smoke will be visible on Mount Revelstoke during ignition. Work is expected to continue on Saturday, April 26 and potentially over the next few weeks as prescription (weather) conditions allow.

Want to know more?

Drop by the fire information tent on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway on Friday, April 25 from 11:00 - 4:00 PM.

Fire information updates including a fire status map and real time campfire ban information can be found on the Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks website.

What’s happening?

Starting tomorrow, (Friday, April 18) Parks Canada fire crews will use prescribed fire to burn off the surface vegetation within a fuel break on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke. In previous years, fire crews completed forest thinning and pile burning to selectively remove large forest fuels, establishing a fuel break between Mount Revelstoke and the City of Revelstoke. The next step to strengthen the fuel break is to remove ground level forest fuels. The most effective way to do this is through prescribed fire.

Prescribed fires are only conducted under specific conditions (e.g. weather, moisture, wind direction, supporting resources, etc.) and will only go forward when the safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure and neighbouring lands can be assured.

Why?

Through safe and effective fire management, we are reducing the risk of wildfire to the public, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands while improving the ecological health of our forests. Reducing forest fuels in this area contributes to wildfire risk reduction actions in and around the City of Revelstoke.

What to expect

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. Trails on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke will be closed starting at 3pm today, (Thursday, April 17) until further notice.The Meadows in the Sky Parkway will remain open for hikers and cyclists. For trail condition and closure updates visit: parks.canada.ca/revelstoketrails.

Smoke will be visible on Mount Revelstoke during ignition, work is expected to continue over the next few weeks as prescription (weather) conditions allow.

Wildfire preparedness

Wildfire risk reduction measures like the prescribed fire on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke, are used for wildfire mitigation and preparedness. Parks Canada is also ready to respond to wildfire starts with two four-person Initial Attack crews stationed in Revelstoke. The Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks fire management team supports wildfire response both in-park and regionally in collaboration with BC Wildfire Service and the City of Revelstoke.

Based on weather data and fire danger ratings, the fire management team monitors for wildfire starts and has crews ready to respond.

Highly trained fire management personnel, from within the Mount Revelstoke and Glacier fire program and in other park functions, contribute to local wildfire preparedness. Whether as wildland fire fighters or members of a Parks Canada National Incident Management Team, they also support wildfire response within other national parks across Canada, or provincial/territorial wildfire response in partnership with the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.