Highway 93 staying closed as wildfires continue to burn

Highway 93 remains mostly closed in both directions from Radium, B.C., to the Alberta border, with no through access due to wildfires in Kootenay National Park.

The fires are encroaching on the highway, according to Parks Canada, which said the road would only reopen once it was deemed safe. Thunderstorms were in the forecast for Thursday evening, which brought the risk of new fires breaking out due to lightning strikes.

Certain areas at the north and south ends of Kootenay National Park were accessible as of Thursday afternoon. Access from Radium Hot Springs to McLeod Meadows opened in the south, while access to Paint Pots from the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway opened in the north.

Highway 93 remained closed between Paint Pots and McLeod Meadows campground Thursday evening.

Traffic was diverted to Highway 1 via Golden.

There was no estimated time of opening, according to the latest update.

A large thunderstorm on Tuesday led to two wildfires south of Vermilion Crossing in the Vermilion Valley. Both Vermilion Valley fires grew significantly due to high winds, to an estimated 1,000 hectares as of Thursday afternoon.

Parks Canada said a fire ban would be implemented Thursday for Kootenay, Yoho and Banff na- tional parks “due to elevated fire danger.”

It also announced new area closures for Hector Gorge trail, the North Rockwall from Tumbling Pass to the Paint Pots trailhead, including Helmet Creek trail, Goodsir Pass trail and Wolverine Pass trail.

Kootenay Park Lodge has been evacuated due to the proximity of the Wardle fire, the weather forecasted for the coming days and the dry conditions.

Some smoke from the fires has drifted eastward to the Calgary area. Calgary’s Air Quality Health Index rating was listed at three as of Thursday afternoon, considered a low risk.