The current wildfire danger in the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) remains LOW. Widespread snow blanketed most areas of the CFA over the past week. With the anticipated warmer weather in the coming days, we may begin to see exposed areas which can present an early season wildfire risk. In areas where snow remains on the ground, the wildfire danger should remain low in the short term.
It is too early to predict the severity of the 2024 season, as the greatest impact will be from late season snowfall and early spring rainfall amounts.
RIBBON CREEK PRESCRIBED FIRE
Weather dependent, crews may continue establishing guard for the Ribbon Creek Prescribed Fire as soon as March 12. Crews will be staging equipment and assessing conditions on March 11. At this time, crews are only working on establishing guard. Operations on the first section of the main unit of the prescribed fire are contingent on success of spring guard construction, conditions throughout the summer and resource availability. Ideal conditions for guard burning are when the trees in the guard area are snow-free, but ample snow remains on the ground. Guard burning will be completed before April 1 and all operations will cease on weekends. This is a continuation of work commenced in April 2023.
There will be short term trail closures in the immediate vicinity of the guard area while operations are underway. Smoke may be visible but is anticipated to be of short duration.
The Ribbon Creek Prescribed Fire is located southeast of Canmore in Kananaskis Country, directly west of Kananaskis Village and south of Nakiska Ski Area.
2024 WILDFIRE SEASON PREPARATIONS
Preparations for the 2024 wildfire season continue in the CFA. Additional wildland firefighters completed their fitness testing and onboarded earlier this week. We now have 3 crews ready to respond to any new wildfire starts as well as assist with prescribed fire operations and other local projects. Additional staff will continue onboarding in the coming weeks.
While the number of helitack crews will remain the same for the 2024 season, the CFA will also be benefitting from a 20-person unit crew as part of the 100 new firefighters announced by Minister Loewen. This crew will be stationed in the CFA, but can of course be shared around the province as needed.
FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED
Fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape. If you're burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. By getting a permit before burning, you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke from your burning projects.
To request a fire permit online, visit this website. You will need a MyAlberta Digital ID to access the portal. Please note that you can still request your permit from the Calgary Forest Area main office by calling 403-297-8800.
WILDFIRES IN THE CFA
Since January 1, the CFA has responded to four wildfires which burned a total of 0.66 hectares. They have all been extinguished.
WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION THIS WILDFIRE SEASON
Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area and across the Forest Protection Area.
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Bookmark albertafirebans.ca or download the Alberta Fire Bans app to access information on fire advisories, fire restrictions and fire bans in effect across the province.
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:
