Banff Fires
 

We were in Banff yesterday (Thursday, 8/14) to begin vacation. Greeted by no electricity anywhere and heavy smoke from fires near Banff. Visibility around 100 yards, air quality very poor. We went back to Calgary. Smoke here too, but Calgary has power.

Did you try driving north to Jasper??

I believe that the fires are to the southwest (Kootenay) and south (Blairmore near Crowsnest Pass) of Banff, but the smoke tends to spread low through the mountain valleys.

Also, the "air flow" (weather) has been from the SSW for the past few days. This could change anytime.

Hopefully this morning's light rain will help the fire situation.

I think that every package of cigarettes sold should have a hefty surcharge to help pay for fighting the forest fires.
A number of the fires in the BC interior were started by careless smokers.
This needless destruction because of thoughtlessness and sloppiness makes me VERY ANGRY!!!

The fire(s) we saw were on Hwy 1 between the Park Entrance and Banff. At last report (Sunday morning before we left Calgary) the fires were listed as "out of control". Spoke to several tourists in the Calgary airport who stayed in Banff and they said the power was back, but visibility and air quality "sucked".

Yesterday, in Calgary at the airport, the visibility was much improved. Don't know whether that was due to wind direction or what. But you could still smell the smoke in Calgary.

The forest fire situation seems to be getting worse and is changing daily.

Hopefully it will rain soon.

For anyone planning to travel to the area and looking for updated information, here are some useful websites and phone numbers:

1. Story about forest fires - http://www.canada.com/national/featu...res/story.html

2. Bans on campfires in Alberta parks -
www.alberta.firebans.com
1-866-FYI-FIRE

3. Parks information -
www.cd.gov.ab.ca/gateway
1-866-427-3582

Thanks for your report-I spoke to a reservation agent in Vancouver today.

She said it was smoky in Van. Pray for rain if you are going soon.

We need rain all over the coast. A buddy came back from two weeks in Tofino with his family.

Not a cloud in the sky.

Maybe change your destinations to the raincoast?

We arrive in Canada on monday, initially spending time in Victoria and Prince Rupert, arriving in Jasper on 1st September spending 3 nights there, 2 in Lake Louise, 2 in Banff and then 2 in Calgary before flying home - should we be concerned about the effect of the fires ? We are planning on doing some hiking, rafting, riding - mainly outdoor activities.

Yes, I am concerned and I'm going Sept.9th. Conditions, road closings and firefighters in hotel rooms change daily.

We are leaving home this Sunday and it will be harder to keep track of conditions.

I'm mentally preparing myself to have to eliminate that area from my trip if it becomes necessary. Maybe go to Oregon & Wash. state, I hope that does not happen.

I've been wanting to go there all my adult life. Which is nothing compared what the residents are going through. Rain-Rain-Rain !

We were in Banff and Lake Louise last week. We started in Lake Louise and really didn't notice any effects of the fires. When we got to Banff there was a definite haze from the smoke, along with a smell of wood burning (which I don't find unpleasant) and occasional flakes of ash swirling around. Visibility was reduced so we skipped the Sulphur Mtn. gondola, but other than that we did not alter our plans. I would think that you would still enjoy hiking, rafting and riding. If you suffer from asthma you might make sure to bring an inhaler (but with us, it was the person who doesn't have asthma who complained more about the air quality).
Of course conditions may change, but I would think you will still have a very enjoyable (and memorable) vacation.

The weather forecast for today and tomorrow is for some rain, so by next week conditions might improve.

For the time being, campfires are banned and some areas are closed due to risk of new fires starting.

As the season progresses, and temperatures start cooling, the fire hazard should diminish somewhat. . .hopefully!!