Restrictions in place as wildfire danger on the rise west of Calgary

Alberta Wildfire has declared a state of high wildfire danger for the Calgary Forest Area, effective May 2, due to weather and other conditions.

The area's warm and dry climate coupled with dry fuel on the Alberta landscape, particularly dead and dry grass, could fuel wildfires with the potential to rapidly grow and spread.  

"If a wildfire should ignite in these conditions, it can spread extremely quickly, be really volatile, and those can really challenge our resources," said Anastasia Drummond, Calgary Forest Area wildfire information officer.

Forest area outside city limits

Located entirely outside of city limits, the Calgary Forest Area stretches from the eastern boundary of Banff National Park, encompassing parts of Kananaskis Country and the Mînî Thnî First Nations settlement, to the northern boundary of Waterton Lakes National Park, with headquarters located in the Crowsnest Pass community of Blairmore.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-20s in the Calgary area this weekend, peaking at 25 C on Saturday. Current weather conditions are set to be affected by rainfall on Sunday, though Drummond still stressed that caution is needed.

"We're hoping for the rain on Sunday, but of course we always have to plan that it won't come," Drummond said.

"What's very difficult at this time of year is that we're heavily reliant on a little bit of precipitation every few days."

Fire restrictions in place provincewide

Fire advisories are currently in place in the surrounding counties of Foothills, Rocky View and Wheatland, while fire restrictions have been declared for the nearby Town of Strathmore, Starland County and the Municipal District of Willow Creek. A fire ban has taken effect in Lethbridge as of April 22.

The situation is more dire in central and northern Alberta, where significant rainfall is not expected in the near future. 

Fire restrictions have taken effect in Grande Prairie, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, Wembley and Edson. Fire bans are in place in numerous communities, including Birch Hills County, Municipal District of Fairview, Town of Fairview, Lac La Biche County, Town of Athabasca, County of Barrhead, Smoky Lake County and Thorhild County.

• Much of northern Alberta under fire bans, restrictions as province faces hot, dry weather

Under a fire restriction, wood campfires are banned on public land but permitted on private property, while a fire ban prohibits campfires on public and private land altogether. 

There are no wildfires currently in the Calgary Forest Area, where Alberta Wildfire has responded since January to 11 wildfires with a total of 26.35 hectares burned.

"Thankfully we haven't seen too many recently, but these are the conditions where we'll start to see them again," said Drummond. "We're now ramping up with all our resources.… However, all the help we can get in not starting new fires, and reporting them, is always a benefit to us."

Alberta Wildfire is responding to 13 active wildfires across the province as of Friday afternoon, including four carryover fires from last year. All are listed as under control.

Responsible recreation

The increase in wildfire danger comes just before Emergency Preparedness Week, recognized May 4-10 across Canada.

• Alberta prepares as wildfire season begins

Everybody recreating in forested areas has a role to play in preventing wildfires, said Kai Bowering, Alberta Wildfire information officer.

"During the springtime, when we haven't gotten any lightning, most of the wildfires are human-caused," she said. 

Many wildfires stem from campfires and winter burning projects that have not been put out, added Bowering, emphasizing the need to ensure fires are properly extinguished.

Report wildfires in forested areas at 310-FIRE (3473), available 24/7 toll free.