Kootenay National Park blaze continues to impact businesses as Highway 93 S. remains partly closed

Nearby lodge under evacuation order as Wardle fire grows to 2,250 hectares

The raging wildfire in Kootenay National Park continues to keep part of Highway 93 S. shut down and is taking a toll on some businesses, as a fire ban was declared in Rocky View Country.

The Wardle wildfire has grown to approximately 2,250 hectares with around 125 fire personnel battling the blaze, which was sparked by lightning July 31.

The Kootenay Park Lodge, located just off of Highway 93 S. right in the middle of the area closure, was placed under an evacuation order by Parks Canada on Aug. 1.

Businesses in Columbia Valley, however, remain open, while the north and south ends of Kootenay National Park are open from Castle Junction to Paint Pots and from Radium Hot Springs to McLeod Meadows, including Radium Hot Pools, Storm Mountain and Shadow Lake lodges.

At Bighorn Meadows Resort in Radium, the effect on business from the wildfire isn’t close to what it was from last year’s fires.

“It’s been pretty steady, we’re still seeing people come in, making reservations, we’re not seeing mass cancellations, so we’re pretty pleased given the situation, the way business is continuing on,” said Andrea Tubbs, director of sales and marketing.

“The air quality has been way better this summer. We were all just commenting today how no one’s eyes have been burning or anything yet this year. So it’s been good.”

However, the Canterbury Inn in Invermere is feeling the brunt of the fire.

A manager with the inn said they were expecting to be fully booked this weekend, but instead have only 20 of about 40 rooms filled.

“We get a lot of motorcycle riders here, so they were really worried about driving around through Golden through the smoke and everything,” he said.

“Last year in August we made almost $60,000 and I don’t think we’re even going to come close to that this month.”

However, the inn is seeing more visitors from the B.C. Interior this year because the wildfires in some instances are preventing travel outside of the province.

Meanwhile, a fire ban was issued for Rocky View County on Thursday. During the ban, all burning permits are suspended and burning is banned except for indoor household fireplaces, properly attended camp stoves, liquid fuel barbecues and oil well flaring.

The province has also issued a fire restriction for the Calgary Forest Area, which extends south of Highway 32 along the mountains and foothills to the northern boundary of Waterton Lakes National Park.

Under the restriction, all fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued.

The use of fireworks and exploding targets is also prohibited.

Campfires within campgrounds in designated fire rings in the area are still permitted.

Gas or propane stoves, barbecues and portable propane fire pits are also allowed.