By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from Parks Canada

Out of Control Boundary Creek fire pushes into Waterton Lakes Park

Sep 8, 2018 | 9:30 AM

Waterton Lakes National Park — Within days of the first anniversary of the Kenow fire, flames are again ravaging Waterton Lakes National Park.  This time – from the south.

Parks Canada reports that around 3:00-pm Friday (Sept 7), the dry, windy conditions pushed the Boundary Creek fire in Glacier National Park northward and across the border.  

Extreme fire has burned most of the basin on the southwest facing slope of Mount Richards and the south and east facing slopes of Mount Alderson. The blaze moved along the Boundary Valley, stopping at an avalanche path. However, two spot fires burned beyond the east perimeter of the fire in the valley.  

Helicopter water buckets were used on the east perimeter during the afternoon and when the wind dropped, a second helicopter was activated until night fall. 

An Incident Management Team and 19 Firefighters are stationed at Boundary Bay Backcountry Campground. Parks Canada and U.S. fire managers are coordinating efforts.  Saturday’s expected high wind will impact firefighting as crews attempt to hold the fire at an avalanche path.  Further details on the fire’s path won’t be known until daylight.  

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As of 10:30 Friday night, the fire had burned about 1,100 hectares and was considered out of control.

Parks Canada has closed the Bertha Lake Trail, the Lakeshore Trail and the Bertha Lake and Bertha Bay Backcountry Campgrounds due to the wildfire activity in the area.