SUNDRE - The provincial government announced Tuesday that the wildfire season is starting early this year on Feb. 20.
Effective immediately, fire permits will now be required for burning within the Forest Protection Area, except for a campfire.
The early start is due to the drought conditions occurring in many areas of the province, which could lead to elevated fire danger if not enough significant rain is received in the spring, fire officials noted.
The Alberta Forest Protection Area includes two portions of Mountain View County:
• west of Water Valley - west of Range Road 54 from Township Road 310 to the south boundary
• west of Sundre and Bergen, covers Coal Camp and Bearberry - west of Range Road 60 from Township Road 312 to the north boundary
Fire permits for these areas are free and can be requested online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca to request a fire permit online.
The wildfire danger in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is currently rated as low.
Since Jan. 1, there has been one wildfire in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Protection Area, which has been extinguished.
There are currently two wildfires burning in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Protection Area. They are carryover fires from the 2023 wildfire season and are both classified as under control.
