The Southeast fire centre reports 76 active wildfires in the region on Monday, August 22, with 32 fire starts within the last two days. Following a dry thunderstorm on August 19, roughly 18 new wildfire starts were reported in the Revelstoke region, including fires on some of the town’s iconic mountains.
Two fires on the East Ridge of Mt. Begbie underwent fire suppression efforts on August 19 to control the blaze. Airplanes dumping fire retardant on the fire could be seen from town. None of the fires detected on August 19 or over the weekend pose any threats to public safety or infrastructure.
A Conair Convair CV580 drops fire retardant on the East Ridge of Mt. Begbie fire which was started by lightning strike this afternoon, one of 6 new fires listed today by @BCGovFireInfo across the Columbia River from Revelstoke. #wildfire #aerialfirefighting 🎥 @Aaron__Orlando pic.twitter.com/XtzN8RlSIC
— Revelstoke Mountaineer (@RevelstokeMTNR) August 20, 2022
Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park update
As fire management crews continue to respond to wildfires in Revelstoke’s surrounding National Parks, Parks Canada has issued area closures until further notice at the following locations in Mount Revelstoke National Park:
Area closures
- Summit Trail
- Inspiration Woods
- Lindmark Trail
- Nels Nelsen Ski Jump
- Eva Lake
- Miller Lake
- Jade Lake
- All trails at Balsam Lake and the summit
An update released by Parks Canada on August 21 indicates ten active fires in Mount Revelstoke National Park.
The update also includes information on the Flat Creek prescribed fire in Glacier National Park. The prescribed fire ignited on August 19 in western Glacier National Park, 200 metres southeast of the Trans-Canada Highway across the Illecillewaet River.
Parks Canada says they are monitoring the fire and that smoke will likely be visible from the highway over the next few days as it continues to burn. Visit Parks Canada’s Fire Information and Updates page for more information as the situation develops.