Alberta Wildfire has issued a fire advisory for parts of the Calgary Forest Area as of Tuesday. The region remains under a high wildfire danger rating, with multiple municipalities also under advisories or restrictions.
Under the May 6 advisory, existing fire permits remain valid, but new permits will only be issued on a case-by-case basis. Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited. Alberta Wildfire is also urging landowners who burned over the winter to revisit those sites and ensure fires are fully extinguished.
A fire restriction remains in place for the northern part of the forest area, specifically south of the Red Deer River in Clearwater County.
In a Friday update, Alberta Wildfire warned that despite early signs of green-up, large amounts of dead and dry grass remain on the landscape and continue to pose an extreme wildfire risk.
Since the start of the year, 11 wildfires have burned 26.35 hectares within the Calgary Forest Area.
Fire crews across the region have responded to multiple wildfires in recent days.
On Monday, Calgary firefighters tackled five brush fires near the Douglas Fire Trail, including one spotted by a golfer at Shaganappi Point. Calgary Police closed nearby pathways, and CP Rail was notified. No injuries or structural losses were reported. The fires remain under investigation.
On Saturday afternoon, a 1.5-hectare grassfire broke out east of Lochend Road in Rocky View County. One outbuilding was destroyed, but no homes were lost. The fire prompted a coordinated response from Rocky View County, Cochrane Fire Services, Calgary Fire and Alberta Forestry.
The City of Airdrie has been under a fire advisory since May 2. Both the east and west zones of Rocky View County are also under advisories. Mountain View County remains under a fire restriction.
West of Sundre, Alberta Forestry has classified Wildfire RWF030 as “Being Held.” Officials say the fire is not expected to grow under current conditions.
Environment Canada is forecasting continued dry weather for the region.
Tuesday night will be clear with gusty south winds tapering off by morning and a low of plus 3. Wednesday will bring a high of 24, with sun turning to a mix of cloud and southwest gusts up to 40 km/h. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with winds holding near 20 km/h and a low of plus 5.
Thursday is expected to be sunny with a high of 16, followed by a clear night and a low of plus 2. Friday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 19. Skies are expected to clear overnight with a low of zero. Saturday is forecast to be sunny with a high of 22, followed by cloudy periods overnight. A mix of sun and cloud is forecast Sunday with a high of 18. Showers are possible that night. Monday brings a 60 per cent chance of rain and a high near 15.
According to the City of Airdrie, Alberta’s fire alert system includes four levels: fire advisories, fire restrictions, fire bans and forest area closures.
A fire advisory signals increased wildfire risk and may include minor restrictions. A restriction means some burning activities are prohibited, though permitted activities vary by location. A fire ban prohibits most or all fire use within the affected area. The most serious level, a forest area closure, is used only by the province and applies to Crown land in the Forest Protection Area.
To report a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
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