The wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) is EXTREME. The heat wave is persisting over Western Canada and is impacting the CFA. The few pockets of moisture we received over the past week are no longer contributing to any relief in the wildfire danger. Although more seasonal temperatures are expected later in the week, there is little chance of any organized precipitation. Wildfires that ignite in these conditions have the potential to grow very quickly and exhibit erratic fire behaviour.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE CFA
CWF-057 is classified as OUT OF CONTROL. It is located approximately 25 km west of Water Valley. It is currently estimated at 85 hectares.
13 wildland firefighters, 2 helicopters and a water truck are currently responding. Additional heavy equipment is enroute and anticipated to work through the night building guard. Multiple airtankers provided support through the evening.
The Studd Creek road is closed between highway 40 and Fallen Timber Road.
The MD of Bighorn has issued an evacuation order for the vicinity of the wildfire. A reception centre is located at the Water Valley Community Hall.
FIRE BAN ACROSS THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA
The FIRE BAN across the entire Forest Protection Area, including the Calgary Forest Area REMAINS IN EFFECT.
With the steady climb in the wildfire danger, it is more important than ever to follow the terms of the fire ban.
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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SUMMARY (as of 10:00 am July 23, 2024)
- Since January 1, there have been 940 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 535,082 hectares (ha).
- There are currently 170 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 56 are classified as out of control, 50 are being held and 64 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:
