B.C. wildfires shut Kootenay park highway from Castle Junction to Radium

Some Alberta drivers heading to southeastern B.C. for the August long weekend may have to find an alternative route as Highway 93 South is closed between Castle Junction and Radium Hot Springs due to wildfires.

Driver are advised to instead use Highway 95 through Golden, B.C., as a detour route.

Parks Canada staff and the B.C. Wildfire Service are battling a number of wildfires on that side of the border, including two started by a lightning storm on Tuesday in the Kootenay Valley, south of Kootenay Crossing, as well as two wildfires south of Vermilion Crossing in the Vermilion Valley.

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The fires grew significantly with high winds associated with the storm. On Wednesday, they were estimated at 100 to 200 hectares. The fires are located on Mount Wardle, in Kootenay National Park.

A number of area closures have been put in place, including:

• The area near Luxor Pass trail, West Kootenay trail, Dolly Varden trail.
• The South Rockwall trail from Tumbling pass to Floe Lake trailhead.
• Honeymoon Pass trail, Hawk Creek trail and Simpson River trail.
• Day-use areas including Wardle Creek day-use area, Vermilion Crossing day-use area and Simpson's Monument day-use area.

An evacuation order has also been put in place for Kootenay Park Lodge due to the proximity of the Wardle fires, the weather forecasted for the next two days and the dry conditions on the ground.

A fire ban is also in effect for the Redstreak campground in Kootenay National Park due to elevated fire danger.

Drivers using Highway 3 between Coleman and the B.C. border should expect delays due to ongoing paving work.

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