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Wildfire season less intense in Rocky Forest Area

Aug 18, 2017 | 11:50 AM

According to the Wildfire Information Officer for the The Rocky Mountain House Forest Area (RFA) this year’s wildfire season has seen smaller and less intense wildfires.
 
As of right now, the RFA has seen 52 wildfires with only 18.5 hectares burned. Last year there was 91 fires that burned 76-hectares.
 
Barry Shellian says there are several factors as to why there are less intense fires in the area.

“This includes a reduction of burning days, which is where the weather factors create burning conditions, as well as an increase in public and industry diligence when it came to fire bans, fire restrictions and reporting a fire” said Shellian. “Alberta Wildfire and Forestry maintain a system of detection and response that have been very effective in containing the wildfires.”

This year there was the completion of a prescribed fire in the Blackstone area, north of Nordegg, which burned 1000-hectares. No other prescribed fires are anticipated to start up until next year. 

 While most of Southern Alberta remains under a fire ban or fire restriction, the Rocky area remains at a moderate risk of wildfires.