Rocky Mountain House Area Update

The wildfire danger across the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area remains extreme.

Weather forecast for tomorrow, July 24, is a high of 27 degrees with 25% relative humidity. Winds are expected from the northeast 15 km/hour. 

Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Wildfire Update

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 64 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, which have burned 1,311.18 hectares (ha). 

There are six active wildfire in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area.

RWF-064 is currently burning out of control. This wildfire is north west of the Ram Falls Provincial Park and southwest of the North Ram River Provincial Recreation Area (PRA). This wildfire is has grown to 300 ha in size. Crews will return tomorrow with heavy equipment resources and support from air tankers. 

RWF-064 on July 23, 2024 at approximately 4:00 pm. 

RWF-062 is currently burning out of control. This wildfire is currently 13 kilometers northwest of the Crescent Falls PRA. This wildfire is now estimated to be 500 ha in size. Alberta Wildfire continues working with local authorities to inform recreationalists in the vicinity to evacuate as necessary and close trails in the Wapiabi and Blackstone areas. Download the forest area closure map (pictured below).

RWF-063 is currently burning out of control. This wildfire is currently six kilometers west of the Jasper National Park boarder. This wildfire is now estimated to be 500 ha in size. 

RWF-060 and RWF 061 are both currently being held. These wildfires are northwest of the highway 11 and range road 15-4 intersection. Both of these wildfires are 0.10 ha in size. These wildfires were both determined to be caused by lightning. 

RWF-058 is under control, located southwest of the Brazeau Reservoir PRA. This wildfire is currently 0.10 ha in size. This wildfire was detected on July 21, and the cause remains under investigation. 

Smoke can be seen from many places within the forest area. There are no immediate threats to any communities at this time. RWF-062 is approximately 30 km from Nordegg and 20 km from the Bighorn First Nation/Abraham Lake area. 

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

Wildfire status definitions:

• Out of control: the wildfire is burning and is expected to continue growing.
• Being held: given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.
• Under control: the wildfire is completely contained and will be extinguished.

Wildfire Dashboard

The locations and details of all active wildfires in Alberta are available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard. This is a great resource to get the most up-to-date information and important statistics like the number of wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, their sizes, locations and more.

You can also download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple and Android.

Wildfire Preparedness

Staying informed during emergencies can save your life. Protect yourself and your loved ones by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert app to receive critical, life-saving alerts.

You can also find out more information by contacting your community directly to find out where they post updated information during emergencies.

Before you travel, check Alberta 511 for current road conditions to help you arrive to your destination safely.

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.

Provincial Wildfire Update (as of 10:00 am July 23, 2024)

• Since January 1, there have been 940 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 535,082 hectares (ha).
• There are currently 170 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 56 are classified as out of control, 50 are classified as being held and 64 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.