Cooler temperatures, rain reduce wildfire activity across Alberta

Alberta Wildfire says fire danger is currently low across most of the province, but that could change with hot weather over the next few days.

Rainfall and cooler temperatures have ‘significantly’ reduced fire activity across the province, says Alberta Wildfire.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Derrick Forsyth, an information officer for the provincial agency, told CTV News Edmonton conditions over the last few days has resulted in fires being kept in check by weather and by work from fire crews, who have taken advantage of the conditions to contain blazes.

“There are a couple of small exceptions – the agricultural zone down south, and a couple of pockets in High Level and the Lac La Biche forest area where the danger is moderate – but we’ve seen a significant turnaround in terms of fire danger across the province,” Forsyth said on Sunday.

Warmer temperatures starting Monday could change the outlook as could an expected increase in lightning activity this month as July is typically the most-active month for it, Forsythe said.

“This summer, there’s potential for a lot more active fires to be there, but it’ll be (based on) conditions,” he said.

Key wildfires noted by Alberta Wildfire include the Red Earth East complex north of Slave Lake, the Sousa Creek wildfire complex west of High Level near Chateh and Rainbow Lake, and the Slims Creek wildfire north of Manning.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti