MD OF BIGHORN – A wildfire burning in the MD of Bighorn about 25 kilometres west of Water Valley is now under control
Firefighters have beat back the blaze to 48.8 hectares.
“Resources on this wildfire include 38 wildland firefighters, two helicopters and two water tenders,” states an Alberta Wildfire information bulletin for the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) posted Thursday (Aug 1).
“Heavy equipment is now on standby should its use be required.”
Earlier this week, Alberta Wildfire announced 90 per cent of the wildfire’s perimeter was contained using a combination of water hose line and dozer guard.
A few remaining hot spots will be the primary focus of ongoing suppression efforts. An area closure remains in effect for the wildfire area north of Highway 579 and east of Highway 40.
“All public lands, OHV [off-highway vehicle] trails, and random camping areas within this zone are closed to public access,” states Alberta Wildfire.
“The closure near the wildfire will remain in place while active suppression continues over the weekend.”
Burnt Timber and Fallen Timber South provincial recreation areas, which border the closure area, have reopened.
Road closures have also been lifted for Highway 579 and Highway 40 but are still in effect for Stud Creek Road/Burnt Timber Road.
An evacuation alert for the immediate area surrounding the fire has also been rescinded.
Since Jan. 1, 63 fires have been reported in the CFA, which includes the entire MD of Bighorn, Kananaskis and the Bow Valley. Fires have burned 61.5 hectares.
Alberta Wildfire noted firefighting resources have been strategically placed in areas across the CFA to be ready for immediate deployment due to ongoing extreme wildfire danger in the region.
“Although the CFA sent many wildland firefighters to assist on wildfires burning in northern Alberta earlier this season, there were always sufficient staffing levels and equipment maintained locally,” states the provincial agency.
“As we are now in extreme wildfire danger, we have further bolstered our local firefighting resources to respond quickly to any new wildfire starts. Helicopters, heavy equipment, wildland firefighting crews and air tankers are all available.”
For further information and updates on the fire burning in the MD of Bighorn’s north Ranchlands area, visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard at: www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/3ffcc2d0ef3e4e0999b0cf8b6.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
