Calgary Forest Area Wildfire Update

The wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) remains EXTREME. A heat warning is once again in effect across much of the CFA this week with daytime high temperatures trending into the 30s. The CFA will remain under EXTREME wildfire danger until a significant change in weather patterns occurs.

ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE CFA

CWF-057 FALLENTIMBER FIRE is now classified as BEING HELD. This means that given the current resources and anticipated weather, the wildfire is not expected to grow beyond pre-determined boundaries.

It is located approximately 25 km west of Water Valley. It is estimated at 65.4 hectares.

Resources on this wildfire today include: 38 wildland firefighters, two helicopters, three water tenders and access to airtanker support when required. Heavy equipment is now on standby should its use be required.

Approximately 90% of the perimeter of the fire is now contained with either dozer guard or hose line.

The fire was again scanned last night. The number of hot spots identified continue to decrease with the active suppression efforts underway.

Closure Area near Fallentimber Fire

Road closures have been lifted for highway 579 (Harold Creek Road) and highway 40. Burnt Timber PRA and Fallen Timber South PRA are also open.

Due to active wildfire suppression of the Fallentimber Fire and extreme wildfire danger, the northeast portion of the Ghost Public Land Use Zone is closed.

The Stud Creek Road (Burnt Timber Road) REMAINS CLOSED. In addition to Stud Creek Road, the area closure is located from south of the Red Deer River, east of highway 40, west of the PLUZ boundary and north of highway 579.

All public lands, OHV trails and random camping areas within this zone are closed to public access.

RESOURCES PREPOSITIONED IN THE CFA

As the wildfire danger increases, firefighting resources are prepositioned into areas with higher fire danger. Although the CFA sent many wildland firefighters to assist on wildfires burning in northern Alberta earlier this season, there were always sufficient staffing levels and equipment maintained locally. As we are now in EXTREME wildfire danger, we have further bolstered our local firefighting resources to respond quickly to any new wildfire starts. Helicopters, heavy equipment, wildland firefighting crews and airtankers are all available.

AT802s at Springbank

Fire Ban wide

FIRE BAN ACROSS THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA

The FIRE BAN in the Calgary Forest Area REMAINS IN EFFECT.

With the long weekend approaching many will be turning their attention to camping and campfires. Wildland firefighters, patrol staff and Peace Officers will be patrolling areas in the CFA to ensure high compliance with 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 31, 2024)

Since January 1, there have been 999 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 560,337 hectares (ha).
There are currently 114 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 20 are classified as out of control, 45 are being held and 49 are under control.
There is currently one carryover wildfire from the 2023 season.

For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

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