BOW VALLEY – Alberta Wildfire has issued a fire advisory across the Calgary Forest Area, which includes Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley outside Banff National Park.
Although the fire danger remains low in the Calgary Forest Area (CFA), officials say the fire advisory was put in place on Tuesday (April 9) as a precaution, noting fire permits are being issued on a case-by-case basis for essential burning only but campfires are still allowed in both designated campgrounds and random camping areas.
Fire officials say recent widespread snowfall has impacted almost all corners of the area and helped subdue the wildfire danger, but more spring-like, warmer conditions are on the way. Canmore and Banff are expected to reach the mid-teens Celsius over the weekend.
“We have been fortunate in the early parts of the season to have received substantial precipitation, which has suppressed the wildfire danger,” said Anastasia Drummond, a wildfire information officer for the CFA.
“The Calgary Forest Area typically sees a drastic increase in wildfire danger in May when the snow has all melted, but green-up has not yet occurred. Exposed, dead/dry vegetation, warmer temperatures and higher winds all contribute to a higher fire danger.”
Earlier in April, a fire advisory was issued for Banff National Park.
Since Jan. 1, the CFA has responded to four small wildfires, which burned a total of 0.66 hectares.
One fire was east of Mînî Thnî (Morley) on Jan. 30 and another near Exshaw on Feb. 22. A fire near Ghost Lake was reported on Feb 28, while the fourth one was near Highway 22 west of Claresholm on Jan. 22.
“These were all small wildfires and quickly brought under control and extinguished,” said Drummond.
The CFA continues to bolster crews and other resources heading into the 2024 fire season.
The Elbow fire base is housing and feeding crews and both air tanker bases are open, ready to support incoming aircraft if and when needed.
Drummond said the CFA currently has three wildland firefighting crews ready to respond to any new wildfire starts and the new 20-person unit crew is receiving new members weekly.
“A large group will be fitness testing and onboarding next week bolstering our resources further,” she said.
“New and returning wildland firefighters will be meeting next week to review required training, and certifications as well as a refresher in policies and procedures.”
As of Friday (April 12), there were 53 wildfires burning in Alberta, 11 of which were classified as active. There have been 114 fires in the province so far this year.
Last year’s devastating wildlife season saw a record 2.2 million hectares burned in Alberta between Mar. 1 and Oct. 31. The province’s five-year average prior to 2023 was 226,000 hectares of burned land.
The 2023 wildfire season across Canada was unprecedented, burning more than 18 million hectares, which is two-and-a-half times the previous record set in 1995 and more than six times the average over the past 10 years.
Earlier this week, the federal government released its forecast and early modelling of weather trends for 2024, which indicate Canada may be facing another catastrophic fire season.
Climate change is causing extreme temperatures at a greater frequency than in the past, increasing the severity of heat waves and contributing to dry conditions, wildfires, and heavy precipitation risks.
To report a wildfire on provincial land, call 310-FIRE. To report any wildfires, illegal campfires or smoke in Banff National Park, call Banff dispatch at 403-762-4506.
