Calgary Forest Area Wildfire Update

The wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) remains EXTREME. Although the Environment Canada heat warning has ended, conditions remain extremely dry. A respite in temperatures is welcomed, but significant precipitation will be required to reduce the wildfire danger after such a prolonged period of hot and dry conditions.

ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE CFA

CWF-057 FALLENTIMBER WILDFIRE is classified as OUT OF CONTROL. It is located approximately 25 km west of Water Valley. It is currently estimated at 82.9 hectares. Crews on site were able to map the wildfire today and provide a more accurate assessment of size. The wildfire did not grow significantly overnight.

23 wildland firefighters, 2 helicopters, heavy equipment and two water trucks are working to suppress this wildfire.

Heavy equipment once again worked through the night establishing guard. Cooler temperatures, higher humidities and light precipitation are helping to decrease the fire behaviour today.

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.

CWF-060 is UNDER CONTROL at 0.01 hectares.

CWF057 tanker drop CWF-057 Fallentimber Wildfire received substantial airtanker support yesterday during a period of increased fire behaviour.

SMOKY CONDITIONS IN THE CFA

Smoky conditions have been experienced throughout the CFA. This smoke is being carried in from wildfires in other jurisdictions. FireSmoke.ca is an excellent tool to track smoke conditions.

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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.

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 25, 2024)

Since January 1, there have been 977 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 550,176 hectares (ha).
There are currently 176 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 54 are classified as out of control, 49 are being held and 73 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.

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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.

Wildfire Dashboard