Parks is currently working on some prescribed burns in Kananaskis, Banff, and Canmore area. It has made the valley a little hazy over the past week and given the towns a nice camp fire smell. The best part has been the stunning sunsets. Last night the skies were orange, red, and yellow and the sun was an amazing red globe.
Banff Crag and Canyon - June 2, 2009
By Larissa Barlow
The Mount Nestor prescribed burns started last weekend with mixed conditions for fire crews.
On Friday, poor conditions caused smoke to fill the Town of Canmore.
Fire operations specialist Brian Low said they stopped the burns, “As soon as it became abundantly clear that smoke was going to be a problem.”
By Saturday and Sunday, conditions were much more favorable, and the smoke raised up in a column, dissipating into the sky.
“The weather has been extremely cooperative,” he said. “It doesn’t get much better than that in terms of smoke impacts.”
Six helicopters are being used as part of burn operations, with two out by the Ya Ha Tinda Ranch. Around 40 people are part of the fire crew.
Parks Canada’s priority has been to burn the northern area to clear that zone before moving south. With that area burned, it acts as an anchor for the rest of the burn, so that if the fire got out of control it would be much easier to control a blaze should it travel further than expected.
If conditions remain favourable, 3,000 hectares will be burned by October. Around 400hectares has already been burned.
The burn is being done in conjunction with the province and Sustainable Resource and Development will be taking care of all fire operations south of the Charlie Horse Pass.
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