The danger of forest fires in the Calgary forest region remains very high, Alberta authorities warn.
Favorable conditions
An advisory was issued due to high temperatures, strong winds and low rainfall, explains Anastasia Drummond, wildfire information officer for the Calgary Forest Region.
She emphasizes that the presence of dry fuels on the ground, especially autumn leaves, promotes rapid spread in the event of a forest fire. It will be very difficult to turn off
notes Anastasia Drummond.
The danger of forest fires in the Calgary forest region remains very high, Alberta authorities warn.
Photo: source: Government of Alberta (our translation)
A long weekend above seasonal norms
Anastasia Drummond notes that no significant rainfall is expected in the coming days. It is a challenge for us, because all the vegetation is dead and dried out, so it does not retain moisture
.
What we need at this time of the year is rain every few days which would help us a lot.
In Calgary, temperatures could reach 20 degrees Celsius on Sunday and 26 degrees Celsius on Monday. Which is well above seasonal norms, emphasizes Natalie Hassell, meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada.
These warm temperatures are expected to continue into the coming week.
Call for vigilance
As the warm weather approaches, authorities are urging vigilance during outdoor activities.
These dry conditions will continue, so we need to be even more cautious than we normally would.
Campfires are still allowed, but authorities are asking citizens to keep them small, monitor them and, above all, put them out properly.
Anastasia Drummond notes that small forest fires have started due to poorly extinguished campfires or fireworks. The latter is forbidden, she recalls.
It’s hard because it’s fall and people feel like the fire season is over, but that’s not the case.
Although there are currently no fires in the Calgary Forest Region, 85 wildfires have been recorded there this year.
We understand there may be some fatigue with the fire season and fire danger, but we are still in the midst of wildfire season, especially in this part of Alberta
remembers Anastasia Drummond.
She emphasizes that the danger will remain until the snow falls. However, Anastasia Drummond adds that it is not uncommon for wildfires to continue even in the off season, especially due to Chinook winds, still warm days and fuel remaining under the snow.
She encourages citizens to report fires to 310-FIRE as soon as possible if they witness them. The sooner we act, the sooner we can control them and stop them from spreading.
With information from Anne-Marie Trickey and Dave Gilson