Lightning sparks small forest fire in Kootenay National Park

Crews are battling a small forest fire on Mount Wardle in Kootenay National Park after the area was hit by lightning sometime in the past week.

Around 3 p.m. Sunday, officials received a call from a passerby on Highway 93 South that there was smoke in the area.

“We have a very, very small lightning-caused fire,” said Lesley Matheson, fire information officer with Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay national parks.

The fire, which is only about 2,500 square metres in size, is burning on Mount Wardle between Kootenay Crossing and Vermillion.

“It is visible from Highway 93 South,” she said, noting it’s smoke rather than flames.

Seven people with Parks Canada’s fire crews are fighting the blaze, which is considered out of control, from the ground. A helicopter is also in the area.

Matheson said it likely started about a week ago because there hasn’t been any recent lightning in the area. “Lightning can strike and then smoulder just below,” she explained. “When the right conditions hit, if it’s hot and dry, it will come up.”

There are no maintained trails or buildings in the area — although Mount Wardle is known mountain goat habitat at higher elevations.

Crews hope to get a handle on the mid-elevation fire this week.

“We’re expecting some precipitation today and hopefully through tomorrow,” Matheson said.