The wildfire danger across the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is extreme. This means that forest fuels are extremely dry and pose very serious fire risk. Fast-spreading, high-intensity fires are likely, which are very difficult to control. Please use caution when engaging in outdoor activities or working outside.
A fire ban remains in effect for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area.
A fire ban remains in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.
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.
Under this fire ban:
- All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
- No new fire permits will be issued.
- Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.
Prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits
- Barbeque charcoal briquettes.
- Fireworks and exploding targets.
Allowed:
- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.
- Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor).
- Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473). The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Stay up to date by visiting Alberta Fire Bans website or downloading the application onto your smartphone: Apple or Android.
Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Wildfire Update
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 54 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, which have burned 10.12 hectares.
There are no active wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area.
Provincial Wildfire Update (as of 10:00 am July 18, 2024)
- Since January 1, there have been 868 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 358,268.44 hectares.
- There are currently 134 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 53 are classified as out of control, 38 are classified as being held and 43 are under control.
- There are three carryover wildfires from the 2023 season.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Off-Highway Vehicle Safety
Off-highway vehicle (OHV) use is allowed in the Forest Protection Area. You can reduce the risk of your OHV causing a wildfire by following these simple steps:
- Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
- After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
- Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
- Wash your OHV and keep it clean – do not wash in streams and creeks.
- Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
- Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.
For more information, visit off-highway vehicle safety.
Report Wildfires
Given the current high temperatures and dry conditions, it is crucial to report any new wildfire as soon as possible. The quicker a wildfire is detected, the faster our firefighters can respond and begin suppression efforts. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
For more information, please contact: