Fire ban lifted for Banff, Kootenay, Yoho national parks

A fire ban issued in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks has been lifted, with the exception of Redstreak Campground, Parks Canada said Friday.

Cool temperatures and precipitation in the area, including snow in Banff, have reduced the fire risk, allowing officials to end the ban.

The ban is still in place for the Redstreak Campgtound within Kootenay National Park, as it’s in an area still experiencing dryness and also sits within the South East Fire District, which has its own fire ban.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The fire ban in the Town of Banff was also lifted Friday.

Banff National Park posted a photo on its Facebook page Thursday of snow on the trees on top of Sulfur Mountain.

The City of Calgary also lifted its fire ban on Thursday, citing cool temperatures and two days of rainy weather.

Residents and visitors can now have fires in designated firepits in camping and day-use areas and within designated metal fire rings in the backcountry.

Parks Canada is reminding people to make sure their fires are extinguished properly. It’s recommended people soak the fire, stir it and then soak it again until it’s cool). People should never leave a fire unattended.

For information on the current status of Alberta wildfires, click here

A fire permit is also needed before using a firepit in a road-accessible campground.

Campers are encouraged to check the backcountry camping information before hiking, as fires are not permitted in all campgrounds.

The cold and precipitation are also helping efforts to contain the Verdant Creek wildfire burning in the area. In a short update on its website Friday, Parks Canada said the fire is being held, adding crews are in the monitoring stage.