Visitors to Banff or Kootenay National Parks should be aware the Verdant Creek wildfire is growing in size.

Increased fire activity last week caused the fire to grow along the remote southeastern area of the fire in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.

Public Relations and Communications Officer Lesley Matheson says the hot dry weather isn't helping conditions in the forests.

"It is in a remote area, it's not any risk to people, communities or facilities at this time," said Matheson. "Given the hot and dry conditions we have seen we've seen some increased fire activity."

There were two new fires reported and they should be out soon, one was started by an illegal camp fire.

 One fire is south of Crooks Meadows Campground in Kootenay National Park and the other is at the west end of Bow Lake on the Icefields Parkway.

"We had one reported to us in the Kootenay National Park about four km south of Crooks Meadows Campground, that is about 20 km south of the Verdant Fire. We had initial attack crews there in a helicopter with a bucket in less than an hour and they have made good progress containing it."

The fire at the west end of Bow Lake on the Icefields Parkway was started by an illegal campfire and it could have turned out to be really bad.

"For both of them there is a high probability we will have them contained in a few days. We did confirm it was an illegal campfire that started it (at Bow Lake). If this fire hadn't have been spotted, if it wasn't in such visible spot it could have had some serious consequences."

There are also many new evacuation alerts and orders in B.C. and the East Kootenay area. Many popular tourist destinations including the Koocanusa area have been closed.

 Travellers should check Drive B.C. and Alberta 511 for possible temporary closures, alternate routes and the most up-to-date information.