On Monday afternoon, Wheatland County declared a fire advisory was in effect for the area. A social media post by the county noted that the advisory was due to dry, warm, and windy conditions.
"All fire and fireworks permits are suspended until further notice. Approved activities such as gas or propane stoves, CSA-approved fire pits, and household fireplaces are still permitted," the post stated, adding that residents should exercise caution.
"The risk of fire spread is very high in dry grass areas."
Wheatland County declared the fire advisory several days after Rocky View County also declared a fire advisory for both the east and west portions of the county.
"Permit burning in the County is banned due to dry/windy conditions. All outstanding burning and fireworks permits are suspended until further notice," RVC stated previously.
According to RVC, exceptions include
- Indoor household fireplaces
- Incinerators (for farm and acreage use)
- Burning barrels
- Camp stoves
- Solid fuel barbecues (charcoal briquettes)
- Propane/natural gas barbecues
- Propane/natural gas fire pit
- Wood pellet grills
- Recreational campfires (approved burn pit 24” in diameter or less)
- Chimeneas
- Fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas
- Oil well flaring must register with central fire dispatch at 403.264.1022
"Any person who ignites, fuels, supervises, maintains or permits an outdoor fire within the municipal boundaries of Rocky View County during a fire ban can be fined $1,000. Should the fire get out of control and emergency fire response is required, the person responsible for the fire can be charged the full firefighting costs," RVC warned.
Currently, Airdrie is not under any fire advisories or fire bans; however, according to Alberta Wildfire, the wildfire danger in the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) rose to high on April 25, although forested and mountain regions with lingering snow remain at low to moderate risk.
Officials warn that open and exposed areas face an increased threat due to forecasted warmer temperatures and anticipated winds. Any fires igniting in dead, dry grass could spread quickly and prove difficult to contain.
There are currently no active wildfires in the CFA. Since Jan. 1, the CFA has responded to 10 wildfires, burning a total of 26.34 hectares.
Fire permits remain mandatory for any burning, excluding campfires, within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Permits are free and available by calling 403-297-8800 or online.
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