The wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) remains EXTREME. Intense heat continues to impact the CFA. These conditions are fueling intense wildfire behaviour on existing wildfires and will allow new wildfire to grow quickly.
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 73 hectares.
22 wildland firefighters, 1 helicopter, heavy equipment and two water trucks are working to suppress this wildfire.
Heavy equipment worked through the night establishing guard and will be working again tonight.
This wildfire received substantial airtanker support through the day. Although fire behaviour increased in the heat of the day, there was not substantial growth noted.
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. Several roads in the area are closed. Please check 511 before travelling in the area.
During the heat of the day, CWF-057 exhibited increased fire behaviour. No substantial growth was recorded today.
FIRE BAN ACROSS THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA
The FIRE BAN across the entire Forest Protection Area, including the Calgary Forest Area REMAINS IN EFFECT.
While CWF-057 was a lightning caused wildfire, we cannot afford to send resources to any human caused wildfires at this time. Please follow the rules 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 24, 2024)
- Since January 1, there have been 957 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 539,416 hectares (ha).
- There are currently 177 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 59 are classified as out of control, 54 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:
