Lake Louise Wildfire Brought Under Control in Banff National Park

A small wildfire burning on Whitehorn Mountain near Lake Louise has been brought under control, marking the apparent end of Banff National Park’s first reported wildfire of 2026.

Parks Canada said Thursday evening that suppression efforts had ensured the roughly 0.1-hectare fire would not spread beyond its existing perimeter. There remains no threat to public safety or infrastructure.

One initial attack crew and a helicopter continued working on the fire Thursday, and people around Lake Louise may still notice occasional helicopter activity until crews fully extinguish it.

The fire is burning on Whitehorn Mountain in the Pipestone area of the national park. Whitehorn Mountain is best known as the mountain that hosts the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

Parks Canada first reported the wildfire Wednesday, Aug. 26, when it was estimated at less than 0.1 hectares and displaying low-intensity fire behaviour. A helicopter was used to bucket water onto the fire while an initial attack crew responded on the ground.

At the time, a thin plume of smoke was potentially visible from the Lake Louise area.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Thursday's announcement is expected to be the final update on the wildfire.

The Whitehorn Mountain fire is the only wildfire reported in Banff National Park so far in 2026, following three wildfires that were extinguished in the park in 2025.

Its discovery comes, however, during a period of heightened wildfire conditions.

The fire danger in Banff National Park is currently rated extreme, and a park-wide fire ban has been in place since July 30 due to elevated fire danger. The ban remains in effect until further notice.

Under extreme conditions, fires can start easily, spread rapidly and become difficult to control.

Parks Canada considers a wildfire “under control” when suppression efforts have ensured it will not spread beyond its current perimeter.

Anyone who spots a wildfire, illegal campfire or suspicious smoke in Banff National Park can contact Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch at 403-762-4506.