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Wildfire reported in Kootenay National Park

A 21-hectare wildfire in Kootenay National Park is reported as being out of control by Parks Canada Friday afternoon.
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A bucket of water from a helicopter is dropped on a prescribed burn in Banff National Park earlier in May. RMO FILE PHOTO

KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK – A 21-hectare wildfire in Kootenay National Park is reported as being out of control by Parks Canada Friday afternoon.

The federal agency said in a Facebook post the wildfire is in the area of Mitchell Ridge in the southern part of the park, about two kilometres east of Kootenay Valley Viewpoint and seven kilometres north of Nipika Mountain Resort.

According to the Parks Canada post, smoke was visible from Highway 93S as of 1 p.m. and flames were visible the night before.

Parks Canada noted there was no immediate threat to public safety or infrastructure and that two helicopters, three initial attack crews and two pieces of heavy equipment were on scene.

The cause of the fire is being investigated, but it’s believed to have been sparked by lightning.

The Outlook will update the story as more information becomes available.

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