BOW VALLEY – A wildfire in the MD of Bighorn near Water Valley is out of control.
Anastasia Drummond, a wildfire information officer with Calgary Forest Area (CFA), said the fire, which is located approximately 25 km west of Water Valley, is currently estimated at 40 hectares, but said no communities are threatened at this time.
"Multiple airtankers are now actioning this wildfire and additional resources are mobilizing," she said in an information bulletin.
"Alberta wildfire is working with the M.D. of Bighorn and local authorities to inform recreationalists in the vicinity, evacuate as necessary and close the area."
Two other small wildfires in the vicinity, one which is 0.1 hectares and the other at 0.01 hectares are classified as being held.
Extreme fire danger
The wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area, which includes the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, has climbed to extreme across the region.
Drummond said the heat wave is persisting over Western Canada and is impacting the region.
“The few pockets of moisture we received over the past week are no longer contributing to any relief in the wildfire danger,” she said in an information bulletin.
“Although more seasonal temperatures are expected later in the week, there is little chance of any organized precipitation. Any fires that ignite in these conditions have the potential to grow very quickly and exhibit erratic fire behaviour.”
Since Jan. 1, the CFA has responded to 57 wildfires which have burned just over 13 hectares in total.
The fire ban across the entire provincial forest protection area, including the CFA, remains in effect.
“With the steady climb in the wildfire danger, it is more important than ever to follow the terms of the fire ban,” Drummond said.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 940 wildfires recorded in the provinces forest protection area, burning a total of 535,082 ha.
There are currently 170 active wildfires. Of these wildfires, 56 are classified as out of control, 50 are being held and 64 are under control.
There are currently three carryover wildfires from the 2023 season.
Report wildfires
Under these current conditions, Drummond said it is crucial fire crews can respond as soon as possible to any new wildfire starts.
“The sooner a wildfire is detected, the sooner our wildland firefighters can respond and begin suppression,” she said in the bulletin.
Please report wildfires to 310-FIRE. Thank you to those using the 310-FIRE line to report wildfires.
