Rocky Mountain House Area Update

The wildfire danger across the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is very high. 

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 2,466.18 hectares (ha). 

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

RWF-064 remains classified as out of control. This wildfire is northwest of the Ram Falls Provincial Park and approximately 30 km southwest of Nordegg. This wildfire is has grown to 320 ha in size. There are 16 firefighters currently on scene of this wildfire with support from heavy equipment and airtankers.

• Road closure: Forestry Trunk Road (highway 734) at township road 38-3A for south bound traffic and at township road 36-2 for north bound traffic. Follow Alberta 511 for current road conditions. 

RWF-062 is now classified as being held. This wildfire is currently 13 kilometers northwest of the Crescent Falls PRA and 30 km west of Nordegg. This wildfire is now estimated to be 1070 ha in size. There are trail closures for trails in the Wapiabi and Blackstone Public Recreation Areas, download the forest area closure map (pictured below). The location of this wildfire is within the forest management plan, which identifies areas that will benefit from wildfires for forest rejuvenation. Therefore the plan is to manage this wildfire and continuously assess and monitor its progress and action if required. 

RWF-063 is now classified as being held. This wildfire is currently six kilometers west of the Jasper National Park boarder and 50 km west of Nordegg. This wildfire is now estimated to be 1065 ha in size. This wildfire is also within the forest management plan, meaning we will continuously assess and monitor its progress and action if required. 

RWF-060 and RWF 061 both remain classified as being held. These wildfires are northwest of Nordegg. 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. 

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 24, 2024)

• Since January 1, there have been 957 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 539,416 hectares (ha). 
  There are currently 177 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 59 are classified as out of control, 54 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.