After spending much of the May long weekend out of control, a wildfire detected around 1 p.m. last Thursday is now classified as being held.
According to a May 18 update, the fire — located about an hour south of Rocky Mountain House and 45 minutes west of Sundre — is now measured at 997 hectares.
The wildfire is located 2.5 kilometres west of the junction of Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road) and Highway 584. It is also being described as five kilometres north of the James-Wilson Provincial Recreation Area.
Officials say wildfire RWF036 is not expected to grow beyond its current boundaries given existing weather conditions and available resources. The classification indicates the wildfire has been contained and a perimeter established around it.
Firefighters, heavy equipment and night-vision-equipped helicopters worked around the clock targeting hotspots.
As the fire is within Clearwater County’s borders, an evacuation alert for the surrounding area remains in effect to support public safety and firefighting operations.
Action to Take
- All campers, traffic and anyone in the backcountry within 10 kilometres of Highway 734 near the Highway 584 junction should leave the area immediately.
- Residents in the area must prepare for a possible evacuation.
- There is no mandatory evacuation for residents at this time.
- Everyone must avoid the area so wildfire crews can safely respond to the fire.
- The alert will be updated if an evacuation of residents becomes necessary.
The wildfire is located seven kilometres from the Mountain View County border. Residents are encouraged to monitor the county’s website for updates and additional information.
Aircraft may be skimming or scooping water from nearby lakes, including Cow Lake, Swan Lake and Burnstick Lake. Officials are asking the public to give aircraft space to operate safely.
Due to the proximity of the wildfire to Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road), portions of the highway are now closed. Visit 511 Alberta for current road closure information and updates.
Image of smoke from Innisfail area, which may be of fire RWF036. (Credit: Patrick Teskey)
Wildfire Danger Now Considered ‘Low’
Wildfire danger in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is now considered low.
While some areas have received cooler temperatures and scattered precipitation, others have seen only limited moisture. Officials say the conditions are providing short-term relief, but additional precipitation is needed to further reduce wildfire risk.
Long Weekend Reminder
The Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is encouraging everyone spending time in the west country over the long weekend to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility.
If you are having a campfire, ensure it is fully extinguished before leaving your site. Annually, abandoned campfires account for a large portion of the human-caused wildfires in Alberta.
Officials remind campers to properly extinguish fires by:
- Soaking the area
- Stirring the ashes
- Soaking the area again until it is cool to the touch
When using off-highway vehicles, take care to avoid dry vegetation, as hot equipment can start a wildfire. Riders are also encouraged to stop regularly and check for debris buildup.
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