FIELD, B.C. – Parks Canada is planning to conduct a 3,300-hectare prescribed fire in the Porcupine Valley of Yoho National Park, but only if specific conditions are met.
Kelsey Eade, fire information officer for the Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay Field Unit, said in an email that the current prescription window will remain in place until further notice.
“The prescription window is based on conditions outlined in the Porcupine Valley prescribed fire plan,” Eade said. “The prescribed fire unit will remain in this window until it no longer meets specific conditions in the plan, which includes local weather and environmental conditions needed.”
The prescribed fire will help restore the historic fire cycle to the Porcupine Valley and reduce forest fuels in the area, according to Parks Canada. It is also expected to enhance grizzly bear habitat and restore whitebark pine habitat.
The conditions required for a prescribed fire include appropriate weather, set boundaries to contain the fire and good atmospheric venting to disperse smoke and minimize its impacts.
Should conditions not be met, the prescribed burn will be rescheduled. Eade noted that every prescribed fire required a peer-reviewed plan and an impact assessment.
This prescribed fire comes a month after lightning sparked a 1.5-hectare wildfire on Mount Field in Yoho National Park. Parks Canada crews brought this blaze under control within several days.
Eade said Parks Canada’s prescribed fires were planned and managed by wildland fire management specialists and were only set under specific, predetermined conditions.
“Safety is always Parks Canada’s top priority when planning prescribed fire,” she said.
The public can expect to see flames, smoke, firefighting equipment, fire crews working in the area and potentially helicopter bucketing. Parks Canada says this is all part of normal prescribed fire operations.
“Parks Canada fire specialists make every effort to limit smoke during prescribed fire operations,” Eade said. “The Porcupine Valley prescribed fire will only go ahead if conditions are forecasted to allow smoke to disperse into the atmosphere.”
She warned that while Parks Canada’s goal was good smoke dispersal, unpredictable changes in weather may increase and redirect smoke.
“If the prescribed fire is carried out, motorists should be prepared for potential delays and reduced visibility on sections of the Trans-Canada Highway,” she said.
Parks Canada fire specialists may work on other approved prescribed fire units as conditions permit.
For public safety, closures include the entire Porcupine Valley from the entrance at the Trans-Canada Highway to Mount King, the Mount Hunter Trail and the Finn Creek Day-use Area. Up-to-date area closures are available on Yoho National Park’s website.
The Porcupine Valley is located northwest of the Trans-Canada Highway, and approximately 17 kilometres southwest of Field, B.C. and three-to-four kilometres northwest of Hoodoo Creek Campground.
