The overall average wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) remains VERY HIGH. With several small storm cells developing over the past several days, the wildfire danger is now a mosaic ranging from MODERATE to EXTREME. Areas that were impacted by localized rainfall are benefitting from a very short-term reprieve. It is important to note that rainfall was NOT widespread and extreme temperatures are persisting driving up the wildfire danger in most areas.
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FIRE BAN ACROSS THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA
The FIRE BAN across the entire Forest Protection Area, including the Calgary Forest Area REMAINS IN EFFECT.
Did your campsite receive some rain from a passing system? That does not mean the fire ban has been lifted! Please continue to follow the requirements below.
Charcoal briquettes are not allowed during the fire ban. This includes day use areas throughout the CFA.
Under this ban all fire permits are suspended or cancelled and no new permits will be issued.
Prohibited:
- Any type of open burning, including brush piles and burn barrels
- Fireworks and exploding targets
- Campfires in random camping areas
- Campfires in designated campgrounds and day use areas
- Backyard fire pits
- Charcoal briquettes
Allowed:
- Portable propane fire pits
- Gas or propane fueled stoves and barbecues
- Indoor wood fires inside a structure and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
- Catalytic or infrared style heaters
Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks) are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.
This fire ban impacts all campgrounds as well as random camping areas in public land use zones within the Calgary Forest Area.
This fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve. For a map of the impacted area, visit albertafirebans.ca.
WILDFIRES IN THE CFA
There are currently no active wildfires in the CFA.
Our crews extinguished two more campfires this week, CWF-054 and CWF-055. These campfires were in violation of the current FIRE BAN in place.
Since January 1, the CFA has responded to 55 wildfires which have burned 12.54 hectares.
CWF-055, near McGillivray Creek, was both an unauthorized fire during a fire ban and was abandoned while still burning. It escaped the ring and burned into the ground. Because it was reported, crews were able to respond quickly and extinguish before it grew any larger.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SUMMARY (as of 10:00 am July 18, 2024)
- Since January 1, there have been 868 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 358,268.44 hectares (ha).
- There are currently 134 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 53 are classified as out of control, 38 are being held and 43 are under control.
- There are currently 3 carryover wildfires from the 2023 season.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
REPORT WILDFIRES
Under these current conditions, it is crucial that we respond as soon as possible to any new wildfire starts. The sooner a wildfire is detected, the sooner our wildland firefighters can respond and begin suppression. Please report wildfires to 310-FIRE. Thank you to those using the 310-FIRE line to report wildfires.
WILDFIRE DASHBOARD
The wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, sizes, locations and more.
MORE INFORMATION:
Anastasia Drummond
403-818-0938
anastasia.drummond@gov.ab.ca
RELATED INFORMATION
Websites:
- Alberta Wildfire
- Alberta Fire Bans
- FireSmart in Alberta
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Air Quality Health Index
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation
Social Media:
