Rocky Mountain House Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is LOW. This means that fire can still ignite but is not expected to spread to deeper vegetation layers or larger fuels, such as trees. 

There are currently no fire bans, restrictions or advisories for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area. For more information, please visit Alberta Fire Bans.

If you see smoke or flame and suspect that it is a wildfire, please call 310-FIRE (3473). 

RCX001 - KISKA COMPLEX (RWF064, RWF063 and RWF062) 

The Kiska Complex is located west (RWF063 and RWF062) and southwest (RWF064) of Nordegg, currently poses no threat to nearby communities and was caused by lightning.

RWF064 is classified as BEING HELD which means that given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. It is located 12 km northwest of the Ram Falls Provincial Park boundary and 25 km south of Nordegg. This wildfire is estimated to be 6,733 ha in size. 

RWF063 is classified as BEING HELD. It is located approximately 17 km west of fire RWF062 and 50 km west of Nordegg. This wildfire is estimated to be 1,962 ha in size. 

RWF062 is classified as BEING HELD and is located approximately 5 km north of the Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area (PRA), 9 km northwest from the Big Horn Reserve and 20 km west of Nordegg. This wildfire is estimated to be 4,936 ha in size. 

RWF062 and RWF063 are located in an area that is identified within the forest management plan as a region where wildfire is expected to offer ecological benefits and promote forest rejuvenation. The strategy for managing these wildfires involves continuous assessment and monitoring, with firefighters prepared to respond if needed. Currently, these wildfires are being monitored and their status remains unchanged.

Please remember to use caution and remain aware of any potential hazards, such as trees and hot spots, if you are traveling through or near the affected areas. 

The image above shows where RWF062 burned into an area that had been previously burned during a prescribed fire in the Blackstone/Wapiabi area, which helped reduce the spread of this wildfire.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 75 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, which have burned 13,646 hectares (ha).

There are currently three active wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, all of which are part of the Kiska Complex mentioned above.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SUMMARY (as of 10:00 am August 20, 2024)

• Since January 1, there have been 1,094 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 705,711 hectares.
• There are currently 83 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, five are classified as out of control, 39 are being held and 39 are under control.
• There is one carryover wildfire from the 2023 season.

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

FIRESMART

Your actions today can minimize potential future wildfire damage to your home and property. Flames aren’t the only threat. An estimated 90% of homes damaged or destroyed by wildfire are ignited by embers. 

By taking proactive FireSmart measures around your house and yard, you can increase your properties’ resistance to wildfire. Visit FireSmart Alberta for more information on how to FireSmart your home and property. 

FIRE PREMITS ARE REQUIRED

Until October 31, all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, require a fire permit. Please check with your local municipality for any additional rules or restrictions before any burning takes place.

Fire permits are free and can be requested online or by calling the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area at 403-845-8250.

CAMPFIRE SAFETY

Abandoned campfires account for the highest percentage of human-caused wildfires and are completely preventable. It is extremely important to properly extinguish your campfire before leaving it. Soak it, stir it and soak it again. If your campfire is fully extinguished, you should not feel any heat from the ashes.

Please do your part to prevent wildfires. If you are found responsible for starting a wildfire, you can be charged, fined and held liable for all costs associated with fighting the wildfire.