Fire information and updates

What's happening?

The Fire Managemen Team has completed various fall projects, including removing trees and reducing vegetation around buildings and infrastructure at multiple locations in Glacier National Park.

Slash pile burning is a necessary step for reducing wildfire risk after removing danger trees. What to expect:

• Starting Tuesday, October 15, smoke will be visible from the highway through Rogers Pass.
• Crews will be active along the Trans-Canada Highway in the Summit area of Rogers Pass while these operations are underway – please slow down, obey all signage, and give them the space they need to work safely.

Background:

Insect outbreaks are the main source of natural disturbance in the interior rainforest. By attacking older, less healthy trees, they open up the forest canopy, encouraging new growth and improving forest health. In this case, the number of trees affected, and location of the outbreak pose a public safety risk, and significant hazard tree removal work continues in Glacier National Park to mitigate the risk.

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.

What's happening?

Wildfire risk reduction and hazard tree removal operations continue in Glacier National Park.

Starting Tuesday, September 24, danger tree removal will take place at the Hermit trailhead and parking area. Brush pile burning will also begin on Tuesday and will be visible along the Trans-Canada Highway through Rogers Pass. Work is expected to continue over the next two weeks.

What to expect:

• Hermit trailhead and parking area will be closed for up to two weeks while crews are working. There will be no access to the Hermit trail from September 24 until further notice. For your safety, please respect all closures.
• Beginning Tuesday, September 24, smoke will be visible from the highway through Rogers Pass.
• Crews will be active along the Trans-Canada Highway in the Summit area of Rogers Pass and the Hermit parking lot while these operations are underway – please slow down, obey all signage, and give them the space they need to work safely.

Why?

A spruce beetle outbreak in Glacier National Park in recent years, left thousands of trees dead or dying in the Rogers Pass corridor of the park. Insect outbreaks are the main source of natural disturbance in the interior rainforest. By attacking older, less healthy trees, they open up the forest canopy, encouraging new growth and improving forest health. In this case, the number of trees affected, and location of the outbreak pose a public safety risk, and significant hazard tree removal work continues in Glacier National Park to mitigate the risk.

For more information

Fire and insects

What's happening?

Parks Canada fire crews continue wildfire risk reduction activities along the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke to strengthen a section of the Revelstoke Community fuel break that runs through the park. Starting this month, prescribed fire will be used to burn off the surface vegetation within the fuel break area. This work is expected to continue throughout September as conditions allow.

Safety is always Parks Canada’s top priority and prescribed fires are only conducted under specific conditions (e.g. weather, moisture, wind direction, supporting resources, etc.).

Why?

Reducing forest fuels in this area contributes to wildfire risk reduction actions in and around the City of Revelstoke by completing a section of the community fuel break surrounding the city.

In recent years, fire crews have carried out forest thinning and pile burning to reduce large forest fuels, creating 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.

Parks Canada is committed to wildfire prevention and risk reduction, working closely with nearby communities to minimize wildfire threats. Prescribed fires are one of the tools used to manage and reduce these risks.

What to expect:

Smoke may occasionally be visible along the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke throughout the month of September. Watch for temporary closures and crews working. Trails on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke will remain open. For trail conditions visit our website.

Want to know more?

Visit our Fire Management Information Team at the LFI Farmers Market on Sept 07 between 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. 

What's happening?

Starting this week, the Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Parks Fire Management Team will begin annual fall projects to reduce wildfire risks and improve safety.

Temporary closures may be in place while crews are working, for your safety, please respect all closures.

Fall projects include:

• Removing danger trees in Glacier National Park at the operation compound, near the highway at the summit of Rogers Pass and the Hermit parking area.
• Conducting slash pile burning after removing trees and reducing vegetation around buildings and infrastructure at multiple locations in both parks.

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.

What to expect:

Smoke from brush pile burning may be visible along the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke and along the Trans-Canada Highway in Glacier National Park.

What's happening?

Effective today, Monday, August 26 at 12pm, the fire ban has been lifted for Mount Revelstoke National Park. Small campfires will again be permitted in designated metal fire rings and other items that are prohibited during a fire ban can now be used.

Why?

Fire bans are based on the local fire danger, current and forecasted weather conditions and the regional wildfire situation. The ban is being lifted because of recent rain and cooler temperatures. The Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks Fire Management Team continue to closely monitor conditions.

What you need to know?

• 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.
• The fire ban for Mount Revelstoke National Park was lifted today. The fire ban for Glacier National Park was lifted on Aug 20, 2024.
• Campfires must be attended to at all times. Completely extinguish campfires with water. Before leaving it, soak it, stir it and soak it again until it is cool to the touch.
• Campers are required to purchase a fire permit before using fire pits in frontcountry campgrounds.
• Backcountry campfires are never permitted in Mount Revelstoke & Glacier national parks.
• There are currently two active, lightning caused wildfires in Glacier National Park. These wildfires pose no threat to people or infastructure at this time.

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

Glacier National Park Wildfire Status

There are currently two active, lightning-caused wildfires in remote areas of Glacier National Park. Thanks to recent precipitation and cooler weather, these fires have shown limited activity and growth and continue to be monitored by fire management personnel using a combination of tactics, including the use of remote cameras. 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.

What’s happening?

Please be advised that as of today, August 20th, 2024, the Fire Ban has been LIFTED for Glacier National Park. A fire ban remains in effect for Mount Revelstoke National Park until further notice.

There are currently two active wildfires located in remote areas of Glacier National Park. These wildfires pose no threat to people or infrastructure.

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

What can you expect?

Remember, in national parks, campfires are only permitted in designated metal fire rings provided by Parks Canada.

• Keep campfires small, and only in designated fire pits. Fires must be attended to at all times.
Completely extinguish campfires with water. Before leaving it, soak it, stir it and soak it again until it is cool to the touch.
• Only use wood provided by the campsite to keep non-native insects and diseases out of national parks.
• Campers are required to purchase a fire permit before using fire pits in frontcountry campgrounds. Campfires are not permitted during campground quiet hours (11pm – 7am).
• Backcountry campfires are prohibited.

While provincial fire bans do not apply on federal lands, fire management teams in national parks are monitoring conditions and continue to collaborate with adjacent agencies to ensure fire prevention actions are complementary.

Fire bans are based on local fire danger, current and forecasted weather conditions, the regional wildfire situation and the availability of responders and equipment. Fire bans are in place to reduce the likelihood of human-caused fires.

Background

There are currently two active, lightning-caused wildfires in remote areas of Glacier National Park. Thanks to recent precipitation and cooler weather, these fires have shown limited activity and growth and continue to be monitored by fire management personnel using a combination of tactics, including the use of remote cameras. 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.

Backcountry Recreation: Given the rapidly evolving wildfire situation across Western Canada, Parks Canada encourages all visitors to exercise an abundance of caution to avoid putting additional strain on first responders, as well as our frontline staff.

Helicopters are in extremely high demand and busy as they respond to large-scale incidents across BC and Alberta. Any rescue could be severely delayed. Now is not the time to take unnecessary risks.

Plan Ahead: With the current closure of Jasper National Park, we are seeing increased traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s more important than ever to drive safely and leave extra time for your journey. Expect travel through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks to take longer than usual – plan ahead, be patient, and be kind. 

What’s happening?

There are currently two known active wildfires located in remote areas of Glacier National Park. These wildfires pose no threat to people or infrastructure at this time.

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

Background

Following recent lightning activity, three wildfires have been detected in Glacier National Park. One of these fires has been extinguished. Fire crews continue to monitor for new wildfire starts and are ready to respond.

GL2 Wildfire: Approximately 25ha in size, the fire is located in the northwest region of the park in the Mountain Creek drainage. Due to the remote location and low risk, fire management staff are managing this wildfire with a modified response. This means that a combination of techniques may be used to minimize current risk while also reducing future wildfire risk and/or achieving ecological benefits from the fire.

GL4 Wildfire: Approximately 1ha in size, this fire is located in a remote area within the eastern part of the park in the Grizzly Creek drainage. Fire crews continue to monitor this wildfire.

The safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands is Parks Canada’s top priority.

What can you expect?

Fire ban: Lighting or maintaining fires in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks is strictly prohibited until further notice.

Backcountry Recreation: Given the rapidly evolving wildfire situation across Western Canada, Parks Canada encourages all visitors to exercise an abundance of caution to avoid putting additional strain on first responders, as well as our frontline staff.

Helicopters are in extremely high demand and busy as they respond to large-scale incidents across BC and Alberta. Any rescue could be severely delayed. Now is not the time to take unnecessary risks.

Plan Ahead: With the current closure of Jasper National Park, we are seeing increased traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s more important than ever to drive safely and leave extra time for your journey. Expect travel through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks to take longer than usual – plan ahead, be patient, and be kind.

What’s happening?

Yesterday, fire crews responded a wildfire located in the Beaver Valley of Glacier National Park. Thanks to suppression efforts, this fire is now extinguished.

There is currently one known active wildfire located in a remote area of Glacier National Park. This wildfire poses no threat to people or infrastructure at this time.

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

The safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands is Parks Canada’s top priority. Parks Canada works closely with the BC Wildfire Service to monitor and manage wildfire risk in and around Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.

Background

Following lightning activity over the August long weekend, two wildfires have been detected in Glacier National Park. Fire crews continue to monitor for new wildfire starts.

GL2 Wildfire: Approximately 3ha in size and located in a remote area in the Mountain Creek drainage, fire crews will continue to monitor this fire.

GL3 Wildfire: This wildfire is now extinguished. Located in the Beaver Valley approximately 1km from the highway.

What can you expect?

The wildfires, smoke, and fire suppression activities may be visible from the Trans-Canada Highway. For your safety, please stop only in designated pull-offs or day use areas along the highway.

Fire ban: Lighting or maintaining fires in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks is strictly prohibited until further notice.

Backcountry Recreation: Given the rapidly evolving wildfire situation across Western Canada, Parks Canada encourages all visitors to exercise an abundance of caution to avoid putting additional strain on first responders, as well as our frontline staff.

Helicopters are in extremely high demand and busy as they respond to large-scale incidents across BC and Alberta. Any rescue could be severely delayed. Now is not the time to take unnecessary risks.

Plan Ahead: With the current closure of Highway 16 and Jasper National Park, we are seeing increased traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s more important than ever to drive safely and leave extra time for your journey. Expect travel through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks to take longer than usual – plan ahead, be patient, and be kind.

Our thoughts are with all of those affected by the evolving wildfire situation in British Columbia and Alberta. Many of the staff here in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier have friends, family, colleagues, and deep connections to the communities being affected.

These incidents are having a profound effect on our people and places. We would like to thank the public for their support and patience during this difficult time.

While still processing news coming from our neighbours in Jasper, Parks Canada staff were called out to manage a small fire start in Glacier National Park.

What’s happening?

On the evening of Wednesday, July 24 at approximately 7:45 p.m. PST, a member of the public reported a new fire start in Glacier National Park. The fire was located east of Rogers Pass, just past the snowsheds, along the Trans-Canada Highway and was quickly extinguished.

Thanks to early reporting, Parks Canada Highway Operations staff were able to be on scene with water trucks almost immediately and were quickly followed by a Parks Canada fire crew. The speed of response successfully prevented any potential spread of this fire.

The fire is suspected to be human caused. If you have any information on this fire, please contact the Fire Duty Officer at 250-837-7519.

There are no active wildfires in Mount Revelstoke or Glacier national parks at this time.

Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks have been experiencing several weeks of hot and dry conditions. While today’s local precipitation is welcome, it is not enough to improve conditions drastically. Human-caused wildfires are 100% avoidable. Wildfires can start easily under these conditions, and we all have a role to play to avoid human-caused wildfires.

What to expect

A fire ban is in effect for Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks until further notice.

Parks Canada fire personnel continue to monitor the parks for wildfires and are ready with the resources to respond quickly. The safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands is Parks Canada’s top priority. Parks Canada works closely with the BC Wildfire Service to monitor and manage wildfire risk in and around Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.

Given the rapidly evolving wildfire situation across Western Canada, Parks Canada encourages all visitors to exercise an abundance of caution to avoid putting additional strain on first responders, as well as our frontline staff. Helicopters are in extremely high demand and busy as they respond to large-scale incidents across BC and Alberta. Any rescue could be severely delayed. Now is not the time to take unnecessary risks.

With increased traffic from evacuees and rerouted transport trucks in addition to regular summer traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway, it’s more important than ever to drive safely and leave extra time for your journey. Travel through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks are expected to take longer than usual – plan ahead, be patient, and be kind.

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

What’s happening?

As of 12:00 noon on Friday, July 12, 2024, a fire ban is in effect for Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks until further notice.

Currently, there are no active wildfires in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks. However, hot, and dry weather has increased the Fire Danger Rating to EXTREME. Implementing a fire ban reduces the likelihood of human-caused wildfires, helping to protect visitors and wildlife in the park.

Parks Canada fire personnel continue to monitor the parks for wildfires and are ready with the resources to respond quickly. The safety of the public, our crews, infrastructure, and neighbouring lands is Parks Canada’s top priority. Parks Canada works closely with the BC Wildfire Service to monitor and manage wildfire risk in and around Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.

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

What to expect

Camping
If you have a reservation for Snowforest or Loop Brook campgrounds during the fire ban, your fire permit will be refunded.

Fire ban
Lighting or maintaining fires in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks is now strictly prohibited effective July 12, 2024.

Prohibited: This fire ban includes ALL wood or briquette fires as well as Tiki torches, turkey fryers and Chimeneas.

Exempt: Provided they are under direct supervision and CSA approved or UL certified:

• Propane or gas fuelled stoves and BBQs exclusively designed for cooking.
• Portable propane fire pits
• Propane or gas fuelled lanterns (enclosed flame)
• Catalytic or infrared style heaters.

The fire ban will be lifted as soon as conditions permit. 

What’s happening?

Parks Canada fire crews continue wildfire risk reduction activities along the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke to strengthen a section of the Revelstoke Community fuel break that runs through the park. If conditions are favourable this year, prescribed fire will be used to burn off the surface vegetation within the fuel break area. Notice will be provided if the fire management team is able to proceed with this work.

In previous years, fire crews completed forest thinning and pile burning to 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 by completing a section of the community fuel break surrounding the city.

What to expect:

Smoke may occasionally be visible along the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke over the next several weeks. Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. Watch for temporary closures and crews working. Trails on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke will remain open. For trail conditions visit: pc.gc.ca/revelstoketrails.

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.