A wildfire near Bugaboo Provincial Park in British Columbia's East Kootenay region has prompted evacuation alerts and park closures. The Regional District of East Kootenay issued the alert late Saturday night for three civic addresses and several areas within the park, including the Bugaboo Falls and Bugaboo Septet recreation sites, as well as the CMH Lodge.

This latest alert comes less than two weeks after the park was closed due to flooding damage, which required the evacuation of nearly 60 campers and hikers by helicopter. B.C. Parks has reported that the wildfire is expanding rapidly, leading to expectations of further closures within the park.

As of Sunday morning, officials from the B.C. Wildfire Service stated that the fire, located just southeast of the park, is not currently threatening any structures. However, B.C. Parks has advised the public to avoid the area, stating, "Please do not visit the area at this time."

The evacuation alert indicates that residents and visitors should be prepared to leave on short notice. In contrast, an evacuation order would require immediate departure. The wildfire is estimated to cover approximately 150 hectares and is believed to have been ignited by lightning.

Officials had previously warned of a heightened fire risk due to hot and dry conditions, which could lead to new wildfires, especially during the long weekend. A special air quality statement has also been issued for a large area of north-central B.C., including the Cariboo, Chilcotin, and Prince George regions, due to smoke from wildfires.

Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed to reduce smoke exposure. The advisory suggests using high-quality air filters in ventilation systems or certified portable air cleaners to filter fine particles from the air.

In addition to the Bugaboo situation, an evacuation alert was also issued for a large area near Tsetzi Lake by the Cariboo Regional District, affecting one structure due to another nearby wildfire.