Upcoming prescribed fires in Waterton Lakes National Park

Parks Canada press release

Park staff are preparing to implement three prescribed fires this spring to help restore shortgrass prairie encroached upon by the spread of aspen and conifers. In order to create fire guards, small-scale burning could begin in November and continue throughout the winter as conditions permit. Fire guards are planned barriers used to stop or retard the rate of wildfire spread. In this case, strategically located strips 5 m wide are burned ahead of time to eliminate dry fuels. When coupled with additional precautions such as spreading water or fire retardant foam, these guards are an effective measure to contain a larger prescribed fire within its defined area.


The three prescribed fires are:

1. Eskerine Complex (area between the Bison Paddock, Lower Waterton Lakes and Red Rock Pky) 
2. Red Rock Complex (area between Blakiston Creek and the height of land to the north in the Blakiston Valley from Bellevue Hill to Red Rock Canyon) 
3. Y-Camp Unit (area between Chief Mountain Highway and Lower Waterton Lake / Dardanelles, from the Park Gate to Marquis Hole) 

Areas where you may see smoke this winter:

• Near the bison paddock 
• Along the power line right-of-way, between Highway 6 and the Waterton River 
• Near wetlands close to the entrance gate 
• Maskinonge Day Use Area 
• At the entrance to the Blakiston Valley 

The goal of fire management in National Parks is to restore and maintain historical fire frequency, while at the same time protecting the public and facilities from wildfires. Restoring fire is important to the health of the ecosystem, including the wildlife it supports.

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. Significant preparations are made to minimize risk by burning only in conditions that allow the fire to be controlled and contained within identified boundaries, and which minimize the amount and duration of smoke affecting neighbouring lands.