Waterton Lakes area prescribed fire cancelled

Prescribed fire in Waterton Lakes National Park

Parks Canada press release

Updated: May 11, 2013: Parks Canada will not be carrying out prescribed fires in the “Y-Camp” or other Burn Units in Waterton Lakes National Park this spring.


Parks Canada’s primary concern is the safety of people and protection of facilities. This afternoon, an Incident Command Team made the decision to cancel, based on forecasted high winds in the next few days. These fires are carried out by trained specialists when a set of predetermined conditions is met relating to weather, terrain, fire behaviour, fire control and smoke management.


Editor's note: this press release replaces an earlier one that notified the public about the planned (and now cancelled) prescribed fires.

The preparations that were made, including a fire line along the south boundary, can be used when the prescribed fire does proceed in future years. A review of the operation will include recommendations for other prescribed fire plans.

The Area Closure that was put in place for this Burn Unit is lifted.

Parks Canada has 30 years of experience reintroducing fires in national parks through well-planned prescribed fires that help sustain fire-dependent ecosystems. The specific purpose of the fires planned this spring in Waterton Lakes National Park is to restore native prairie by reducing aspen and evergreen tree expansion onto grasslands. The overall goal of fire management in national parks is to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems, including the wildlife it supports, while protecting the public and facilities from wildfires.