A wildfire has led to evacuation alerts and closures for the popular Bugaboo Provincial Park in B.C.’s East Kootenay region on Sunday.
An evacuation alert was issued late Saturday night for three civic addresses and multiple areas of the park, including the Bugaboo Falls and Bugaboo Septet recreation sites and CMH Lodge, by the Regional District of East Kootenay.
The core areas of the Bugaboo Provincial Park were already closed due to flooding damage a little under two weeks ago, after nearly 60 campers and hikers had to be evacuated via helicopter.
Now, B.C. Parks says on its website that a nearby wildfire is growing quickly, and the agency anticipates closures of more sections of the park as a result.
“This will lead to closures of Bugaboo Provincial Park and other areas,” the agency said. “Please do not visit the area at this time.”
The wildfire is burning just southeast of the park, which has historically been popular for its rugged climbs and landscapes, and the B.C. Wildfire Service says as of Sunday morning it is not currently threatening any structures.
CBC News has reached out to B.C. Parks to find out if any campers were in the area when the evacuation alert was issued.
The Regional District of East Kootenay has issued an Evacuation Alert for multiple properties in the Silver Basin area near Bugaboo Provincial Park due to <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCWildfire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#BCWildfire</a>. Impacted people must be ready to leave on short notice. More info & map: <a href=”https://t.co/2UCjQ6v8KU”>https://t.co/2UCjQ6v8KU</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/BC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#BC</a>… <a href=”https://t.co/Hu95OmlX46″>pic.twitter.com/Hu95OmlX46</a>
An evacuation alert means that people in the area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, while an evacuation order means people should leave immediately.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said on its website that the fire is estimated at around 150 hectares in size, and is suspected to have been sparked by lightning.
Officials had warned of significant fire risk heading into the long weekend in B.C., as hot and dry conditions were set to combine with lightning strikes and potentially create new wildfires.
A special air quality statement due to wildfire smoke covers a large swath of north-central B.C., including the Cariboo, Chilcotin and Prince George areas.
The province says that, as smoke levels increase, people should limit time outdoors and keep windows closed indoors if possible.
“Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles,” the advisory reads.
On Thursday, an evacuation alert was issued for a large area near Tsetzi Lake by the Cariboo Regional District, which covers one structure, due to a nearby wildfire.
