KANANASKIS COUNTY – The Burstall Lake wildfire in Kananaskis Country is now classified as “being held”.
A release from Alberta Wildfire at about 4:40 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 4) indicated the fire, which was sparked by lightning on Friday evening (Aug. 2), did not grow much from yesterday and is still estimated to be about 1.2 hectares in size.
A helicopter has been bucketing water on the flames and and air-tankers have been dumping retardant on the wildfire, which is located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park about 10 kilometres south of Spray Lakes Reservoir and about seven kilometres south of Mount Engadine Lodge.
“Resources on this wildfire include 20 wildland firefighters and one helicopter for both crew movement and bucketing,” said Anastasia Drummond, a wildfire information officer for Calgary Forest Area,
Video from Facebook by Andy Arts
“The wildfire did not grow overnight, showing minimal fire behaviour. The crews are making progress with pumps and helicopter bucketing.”
The Smith-Dorrien Trail remains open, but crews, aircraft and smoke are visible.
Burstall Pass day-use area and surrounding trails remain closed until further notice.
Near the boundary with Banff National Park, the Burstall Pass wildfire does not pose a threat to backcountry campgrounds in the park, but Parks Canada says it does impact access to the trailhead.
“Hikers and campers cannot access campgrounds in the Burstall, Birdwood and Bryant areas via Burstall Trailhead and will need to take alternate routes or adapt their itineraries,” states Parks Canada on social media.
“It is still possible to access these sites via the Mount Shark Trailhead.”
A second wildfire was detected in K-Country about 5:30 p.m. Sunday as more thunderstorms rolled through the region.
Located south-east of Kananaskis Lakes, the fire is classified as "being held" and is estimated at 0.01 ha.
