Calgary Area Update

Calgary Forest Area Wildfire Update - May 17, 2024

Posted on Fri, May 17, 2024

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The overall wildfire danger in the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) is now LOW. Green-up is well underway across the Forest Area, and widespread precipitation was registered in virtually all of our gauges. The forecast is calling for moderate temperatures with the possibility of more scattered precipitation over this long weekend.


WILDFIRES IN THE CFA

CWF-009 was detected on May 10 and was extinguished at 3.70 hectares. The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.

Since January 1, the CFA has responded to 9 wildfires which burned a total of 5.23 hectares.


LONG WEEKEND REMINDERS

Before heading out on your long weekend travels, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination. If you plan on having a campfire, keep it small, safe and ALWAYS attended. When you are leaving your site or headed to bed, your campfire must be fully extinguished. Soak it, stir it, soak it again to ensure it is out.

Off highway vehicles can start wildfires. Please stop often to clean your exhaust to ensure you are not the cause of a wildfire. Stay on approved trails and follow all guidelines.

Please remember that fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited in the Forest Protection Area without the express written permission from a Forest Officer.  The use of these items could earn you a $600 written violation and if you are found responsible for causing a wildfire you could also be held responsible for the costs associated with extinguishing that wildfire.

Patrol staff, Wildland Firefighters and Peace Officers will be visiting sites throughout the Calgary Forest Area this long weekend.

19 May 16 Soak it, Stir it


PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SUMMARY (as of 10:00 am May 16, 2024)

  • Since January 1, there have been 323 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 30,287.03 hectares (ha).
  • There are currently 44 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, one is classified as out of control, four are being held and 39 are under control. 
  • There are currently 22carryover wildfires 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, suspected causes and more.

Wildfire Dashboard

FIRE PERMITS 

Request your fire permit online.  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 in your backyard.

To request a fire permit online, visit our website. Please note that you can still request your permit from the Calgary Forest Area main office by calling 403-297-8800.


MORE INFORMATION:

Anastasia Drummond
403-818-0938
anastasia.drummond@gov.ab.ca


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