After a six-day battle, the Fallentimber Wildfire 25 km west of Water Valley is no longer out of control.
Alberta Wildfire has changed its status to being held.
That means given the current resources and anticipated weather, the wildfire is not expected to grow beyond pre-determined boundaries.
After six days of fighting the blaze, they have been able to reduce it to 65.4 hectares from its peak of 110. It had been quickly reduced to about 85 hectares by wildfire crews working around the clock.
Approximately 90 per cent of the perimeter of the fire is now contained with either dozer guard or hose line. The wildfire continued to show shows low fire behaviour.
Active suppression will continue on this wildfire in the coming days.
The MD of Bighorn continues to have an evacuation order in place for the vicinity of the wildfire. Next steps related to this closure and evacuation order will be made and communicated at the discretion of the MD of Bighorn.
In the meantime, the area closure remains in effect in the immediate area surrounding the fire and an evacuation alert is in effect for residents in the MD of Bighorn west of Water Valley (Doc Mills Road (RR62A), Whispering Pines Road (TWP 294A), and Burnt Timber Road
Road closures are in effect on Highway 579 (Harold Creek Road), Highway 40, Burnt Timber Road, and Stud Creek Road. Please check Alberta 511 for updated road closure information.
Random camping and public recreation areas in the Ghost public land-use zone are impacted.