Parks Canada bans smoking in Glacier and Mt. Revelstoke National Parks
Smoking is banned in Glacier and Mt. Revelstoke National Parks until further notice. This is an attempt to reduce the risk of human-caused fires as fire resources are stretched thin and hot, dry conditions persist across B.C.
There is also a campfire ban in both parks.
Parks Canada is also urging people to make sure their vehicles don’t overheat as they drive up Meadows in the Sky Parkway, and to pull over to cool down. Don’t park on vegetation.
A fire at Uto Creek has been burning since July 9. It was caused by a lightning strike, and has grown to over 1600 hectares.
Parks Canada’s fire team is monitoring and maintaining the fire using natural features, active supression, and strategic ignition. That means they’re lighting fires ahead of this fire to reduce the fuel in its path.
This fire isn’t threatening humans but it’s close to the Uto and Copperstein Creek patrol cabins in the park, and it’s two kilometres away from the Purcell Lodge, which is just outside the park boundaries. Parks is working to protect these structures.
To report any fires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke that you see in Mt. Revelstoke or Glacier National Parks, call the Parks dispatch at 877-852-3100.
meagan@stokefm.com
Photo shows a smoky valley around Revelstoke on the morning of Aug. 4. Photo by Parks Canada.