MD OF BIGHORN – A wildfire is burning near Ghost River in the MD of Bighorn, just east of the Banff National Park boundary.
As of about 3 p.m., the six-hectare wildfire was classified as being held. It was detected by Alberta Wildfire lookout observers around 5 a.m. Thursday (May 30) and initially registered as out of control at four hectares.
“Alberta Wildfire is currently actioning the fire with ground crews and helicopter support. Residents and visitors may see smoke in the area along the Ghost River,” states a news release from the MD of Bighorn, noting Bighorn Emergency Services was also on scene for assistance.
The wildfire is being held by 25 wildland firefighters, with two helicopters. The cause is under investigation and there is no threat to nearby communities or infrastructure.
“It is primarily burning in the finer fuels such as slash and cured grass,” states an Alberta Wildfire update for the Calgary Forest Area (CFA).
There are currently 28 active wildfires in the province. The CFA has recorded 38 fires, burning a total of 11.57 hectares since Jan. 1, with all of those being extinguished except two. Another small fire was detected this morning burning near Fisher Creek in Kananaskis Country. That is categorized as under control and the cause is under investigation.
Overall wildfire danger in the CFA – extending from as far south as west of Pincher Creek up to east of the Banff National Park boundary – is listed as moderate, with some areas having high wildfire risk.
“A break in precipitation along with some warmer, windy days has helped to drive up the overall wildfire danger,” states Alberta Wildfire’s update. “Although the forecast is calling for the possibility of some light precipitation in the short term, conditions look mostly stable through the coming week which will lead to a continual climb in the wildfire danger.”
There are currently 28 active wildfires in the province. Twenty-five are listed as under control, two are being held and one is burning out of control. Alberta Wildfire is also providing assistance to five mutual aid wildfires outside of its Forest Protection Area, with one of those being out of control and the others categorized as under control.
There have been 386 wildfires in the province since the start of the year, burning a total of 27,973 hectares.
