North

Wildfire burning out of control in Wood Buffalo park

The Northwest Territories government says a wildfire sparked by lightning is burning out of control near Pine Lake on the Alberta side of Wood Buffalo National Park.

Pine Lake recreation area and Pine Lake road closed until further notice

The Salt Plains in Wood Buffalo National Park, which straddles Alberta and the Northwest Territories. A wildfire is now burning out of control about four kilometres north of the Pine Lake Recreation Area and about one kilometre west of the Pine Lake road. (George Lessard)

The Northwest Territories government says a wildfire is burning out of control near Pine Lake on the Alberta side of Wood Buffalo National Park.

The fire is about 3,500 hectares in size.

A lightning strike started the fire on Saturday.

It's located about four kilometres north of the Pine Lake Recreation Area and about one kilometre west of the Pine Lake road.

On Monday night, Parks Canada brought in an Incident Management Team and additional fire crew to work with local staff.

Parks Canada has closed the Pine Lake recreation area and the Pine Lake road to all traffic and visitors until further notice.

The Northwest Territories' department of environment and natural resources has already reported 25 fires in 2014. 

Pine Lake is a popular camping area on the Alberta side of Wood Buffalo National Park. (Parks Canada)