Rocky View County upgraded to a full fire ban across the entire county on Wednesday, the same day the Town of Cochrane issued a fire restriction. Airdrie remains under an advisory, which was first issued on Friday.
Rocky View County stated Wednesday afternoon that "due to changing conditions," a fire ban was in effect.
"The ban will remain in effect as long as high-risk conditions remain," officials noted in the update.
According to the county's website, all permit burning is prohibited during a fire ban, and all outstanding burning and fireworks permits are suspended until further notice. Also Wednesday, Cochrane imposed a fire restriction, citing warm weather and dry vegetation.
"As a result of the anticipated hot weather conditions and the current dry, cured grasses, Cochrane has issued a fire restriction," the Town stated on its website. "Fire hazard conditions are at a level where wildland fires can start and grow quickly."
Neighbouring Mountain View County is also under a fire restriction, while Alberta Wildfire also enacted a fire advisory on Tuesday for the Calgary Forest Area (CFA).
"The wildfire danger in the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) remains high," officials stated on Wednesday. "
"Although a slightly cooler weekend helped moderate the wildfire danger in the short term, there was less precipitation than hoped for. Warm temperatures and windy conditions are forecast for this week, which will further increase the wildfire danger. There is ample dry fuel on the landscape that could feed fast-moving wildfires. Dead and dry grass carries an extreme wildfire risk at this time of year. Take care when recreating or working on the landscape."
A fire restriction is specifically in effect for the northernmost parts of the CFA.
"Areas south of the Red Deer River that are within Clearwater County only are impacted by this fire restriction," officials added.
There are currently no active wildfires in the CFA. Since January 1, the region has responded to 13 wildfires, which have burned a total of 28.46 hectares.
In Airdrie, the local fire advisory issued May 2 remains in effect. At the time, city officials stated that "the fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve or until additional measures are deemed necessary."
Under the current fire advisory in Airdrie:
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All existing fire permits are suspended, except for acceptable burn barrels and incinerators.
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No new fire permits will be issued while the advisory is in place.
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Some essential burning may be allowed, at the discretion of the fire department.
Prohibited activities include:
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Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a residential backyard fire pit
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Consumer fireworks
Exempted activities include:
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Acceptable residential fire pits and wood campfires
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Natural gas or propane fire pits (CSA-approved or ULC-certified)
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Natural gas, propane or electric stoves, barbecues, and smokers (CSA-approved or ULC-certified)
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Solid-fueled barbecue appliances using charcoal, briquettes, or wood
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Catalytic or infrared-style heaters (CSA-approved or ULC-certified)
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Acceptable burning barrels (for farm use only)
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Incinerator fires
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Approved fires contained in industrial facilities or sites (energy, forestry or agricultural)
"Provincial fire bans and advisories apply to all Crown Land in Alberta," Airdrie officials stated. "The City of Airdrie's bans and advisories apply to all lands within the Airdrie city limits. This is because individual municipalities regulate their own fire status."
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