Firefighters already busy in Calgary Forest Area as wildfire season begins

Alberta’s wildfire season officially begins on Saturday, but firefighters are already busy with 10 fires burning in the province.

Firefighters are working on holding two more wildfires the Calgary Forest Area (CFA), with the province’s official wildfire season set to begin on Saturday.

The two fires, located southwest of Water Valley, Alta., ignited on Thursday with strong winds helping them grow.

The fires covered 6.5 and 2.0 hectares, respectively, as of Friday afternoon. Alberta Wildfire said the fires are now considered held and are not expected to grow further.

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The cause of the two blazes is under investigation.

Another fire from earlier in the week near Ghost Lake is under control after affecting 16.67 hectares.

“The wildfire did not grow substantially. Smoke and terrain were factors in the initial size assessment and once crews were able to bring this wildfire under control, more accurate mapping was conducted,” Alberta Wildfire said.

The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

Since the start of the year, firefighters have responded to 10 wildfires in the CFA that have burned 26.34 hectares of land.

Wildfire season begins

March 1 marks the beginning of the official wildfire season in Alberta.

Wildfire danger in the CFA is considered moderate, with above-seasonal temperatures and strong winds accelerating the snowmelt.

“Exposed areas of dead grass are of particular concern and can carry fast-moving wildfires,” Alberta Wildfire said.

Although the warm, windy weather is expected to continue through the weekend, cooler temperatures and snow could help lower the fire risk.

Wildfire Alberta said preparations for the 2025 wildfire season are well underway in the CFA, with additional seasonal wildland firefighters doing fitness testing and onboarding in the coming weeks.

While in wildfire season, fire permits are required for any burning in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, except for campfires.

Fire permits can be requested by calling the Calgary Forest Area main office at 403-297-8800 or online.