KANANASKIS COUNTRY – A small human-caused wildfire near Goat Pond in Spray Lakes Provincial Park Tuesday morning (July 30) has been extinguished.
According to the Alberta Wildfire map, the fire in Kananaskis Country, about 15 kilometres from Canmore, is 0.01 hectares in size and was initially listed as “under control” as of an assessment at 10:35 a.m. this morning. However, that was updated to extinguished around noon.
"It was an unauthorized campfire – both in location and because of the fire ban," said Anastasia Drummond, a wildfire information officer for the Calgary Forest Region, which includes Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.
"We had a crew respond and extinguish this morning."
There are currently 118 wildfires burning in Alberta, including the 65.4-hectare Fallentimber wildfire located about 25 kms west of Water Valley, which is currently classified as being held.
According to the latest update for the Calgary Forest Region on Tuesday night (July 30), there were 38 wildland firefighters on this fire today, two helicopters, three water tenders and access to airtanker support when required. Heavy equipment is now on standby should its use be required.
"Approximately 90 per cent of the perimeter of the fire is now contained with either dozer guard or hose line," Drummond said in an update.
"The fire was again scanned last night. Hot spots were identified which has guided firefighting efforts today."