Wildfire crews battle out-of-control blaze in Calgary Forest Area

A shoulder patch of the Alberta Wildfire service is pictured in Fort McMurray, Alta., Thursday, May 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Mild temperatures and dry conditions have continued to keep Alberta’s fire danger higher than normal, and officials say there are two fires of concern in the Calgary Forest Area.

Alberta Wildfire says strong winds and dry vegetation are both leading to a moderate risk of wildfire in the region, which is a region of forest near the Rockies east of Carstairs down past Pincher Creek to the U.S. border.

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Three wildfires began in that area this week, with two being discovered on Nov. 10 and the third on Nov. 11.

Officials say the first fire, CWF067, is out-of-control at 27 hectares.

It’s located two kilometres north of Highway 579 and isn’t threatening any homes or infrastructure.

“Firefighters, supported by helicopters, continue to work on this wildfire. Windy conditions and limited access make operations more difficult, but crews are making good progress,” officials said in a statement.

The second fire was also discovered on Nov. 10, but a quick response brought it under control and extinguished that day.

CWF069, the third fire, is considered being held at three hectares.

That fire, in the Porcupine Hills area, is about six kilometres north of Highway 520 and 10 km east of Highway 22.

That blaze is not threatening any homes or infrastructure either, according to wildfire officials.

There have been 69 wildfires in the Calgary Forest Area since Jan. 1, which have burned a total of 69 hectares.

Alberta Wildfire says the typical wildfire season runs from March 1 to Oct. 31.