Students may be heading back to school this September, but wildfire season continues as Parks Canada closes Upper Mount Revelstoke for several days for prescribed burns.
The federal agency has shared via Facebook that the Meadows in the Sky Parkway and other trails above the Columbia Viewpoint in Mount Revelstoke National Park will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, for fire fuel mitigation.
Starting Wednesday, Sept. 3, "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," the Facebook post reads.
Parks Canada explained that it only prescribes burns under specific weather, resource and safety conditions, and noted the upper mountain closure will last until either Friday or it is safe for reopening. The national park's webpage indicates this could come as early as Thursday afternoon, Sept. 4.
This means motorists and cyclists will still continue to have access to the first 12 kilometres of the parkway, lower trails such as Soren Sorensen and Inspiration Woods, and lower reaches of the Summit and Lindmark trails.
Parks Canada currently rates fire danger in the park as very high, and on Monday, Sept. 1, responded to a small wildfire in the Mount Revelstoke backcountry. The agency said Monday evening that the fire was first reported after a lightning storm on Aug. 19, but is surrounded by rock and avalanche paths limiting its spread and as of Monday, poses no threat to public safety or infrastructure.
"When crews initially responded, the fire was no longer detectable," Parks Canada said. "However, due to recent hot and dry conditions, the fire is now visible. Smoke from the remote wildfire may be visible from the City of Revelstoke and the Trans-Canada Highway. Parks Canada fire crews will continue to monitor this fire, and an update will be provided if the situation changes."
Visit for the latest updates on park trail closures and reopenings, or direct your questions to Parks Canada staff at 250-837-7569.