The wildfire danger across the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is now VERY HIGH. High daytime temperatures are expected to continue throughout the weekend. These temperatures, combined with dry vegetation, such as grass beginning to cure (drying out and dying off), are providing additional fuel for wildfires to spread quickly.
Never leave your campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until the ashes are cool to the touch.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect that it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473) to report it.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2024 there have been 79 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, which have burned 11,517.55 hectares.
There are three active wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, they are all classified as under control, meaning they are completely contained and will be extinguished.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SUMMARY
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Since January 1, there have been 1,139 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 707,102 hectares.
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There are currently 73 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 27 are being held and 46 are under control.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
HUNTING SEASON
Hunting season is now underway in many foothill and mountain regions. If you have a campfire while out hunting, be sure to choose a safe location. In the backcountry or where there is not a dedicated fire ring, select sites that are free from dry grass, bushes, leaves, branches, tree trunks, peat moss, and overhanging branches. Use previously established fire sites when possible. If no dedicated fire ring is available, please follow these guidelines:
- Create a circle about one metre in diameter.
- Dig or scrape down to the mineral soil.
- Clear away any flammable materials within one metre of the pit.
Always extinguish your campfire when you are done with it. Soak it. Stir it. Soak it again. Before heading out, visit our website for a refresher on campfire safety.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE SAFETY
If you are using an off-highway vehicle, remember to stop often and check hot spots. Debris, like grass and twigs, can build up around the engine, exhaust and muffler. This debris can heat up, smoulder and inadvertently ignite a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
FIRE PERMITS 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.
FARM EQUIPMENT
As harvest continues across Alberta, farmers are encouraged to regularly check their machines and remove any buildup of debris and vegetation around hot spots. This practice helps prevent the unintentional ignition of wildfires caused by overheated debris falling to the ground.
Ensuring your machinery is in proper and good working order is also crucial to prevent sparks that could ignite dry vegetation and lead to wildfires. These preventive measures are important in reducing human-caused wildfires this fall.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE APP
The Alberta Wildfire Status App is a great way to stay informed about wildfire information in Alberta. Download the app today (for Apple or Android) to have instant access to information on wildfire locations and sizes, fire ban information, conditions in your local forest area and directions on how to report a wildfire.