Risk of wildfires in Calgary’s forest area increases to extreme levels

The risk of wildfires in the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) has become extremely high as a heat wave brings hot and dry weather to southern Alberta.

According to Wildfire Alberta, the few damp patches that have arrived over the past week are not providing any relief from the fire danger.

More seasonal temperatures are coming, but the chance of precipitation is minimal.

“Any fires that start under these conditions have the potential to grow rapidly and exhibit erratic burning behavior,” Alberta Wildfire said in an update Tuesday.

A map of Alberta’s fire risk as of July 23, 2024. (Courtesy: WIldfire Alberta)

There is one active wildfire in the CFA, which is currently classified as contained.

The fire, caused by lightning, is located 25 kilometers west of Water Valley.

Four wildland firefighters, along with a helicopter, arrived on the scene Monday night. Nine firefighters will be on the scene Tuesday to bring the fire under control.

According to the province, a burning fire is not expected to become larger than expected, given the current weather conditions and resources.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 57 forest fires in the CFA, destroying 13.05 hectares.

The Calgary Forest Area encompasses a large area in southwestern Alberta, extending from the areas west of Carstairs, Cochrane and Calgary to west of Pincher Creek.

A fire ban remains in effect throughout the forest protection area, including the CFA.

Across Alberta, there were 170 active wildfires as of Tuesday morning, according to the province’s wildfire map. Of those fires, 56 are out of control, 50 are contained and 64 are contained.

Since January 1, 940 forest fires have been recorded in the province’s protected forest area, destroying 535,082 hectares.

A wildfire near Jasper prompted an evacuation order for the town and national park Monday evening.