Parks Canada recognizes that neighbours may have concerns stemming from this year’s fire season. Safety is the top priority when planning for prescribed fire. The Elk Island Fire Management Program is dedicated to ecological restoration and protecting habitats for many species, including species at risk. Parks Canada uses tools such as prescribed fire to maintain and restore fire adapted ecosystems and to build resilience in forests and grasslands because fire is a natural, regenerative process.

Prescribed fire season for fall 2024 could start as early as Thursday, September 19 in Elk Island National Park. Fire management staff are doing ongoing monitoring to determine when weather and environmental conditions are right.

Two areas within the park have been identified for prescribed fire:

• Shirley Lake area: as many as 100 hectares (1 square km) may be included
• Hayburger area: as many as 428 hectares (4.28 square km) may be included

Updates on the prescribed fire will be shared via Facebook and X and the prescribed fire mailing list.

Please check the Important Bulletins page for information on area closures.