Strong winds, dry conditions drive Bow Valley wildfire risk to extreme

The Rocky Mountain Outlook
October 4, 2024
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

KANANASKIS COUNTRY – Wildfire danger in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country has escalated to extreme, with higher than average temperatures, strong winds and a lack of precipitation driving up risk. Fire risk in the region was upgraded from high to extreme Oct. 4. “The wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area (CFA) is expected to be extreme over the coming days,” said Anastasia Drummond, a wildfire information officer for Alberta Wildfire’s CFA, in an information bulletin. “Very strong and gusty winds are anticipated to begin today. These winds, combined with above seasonal temperatures and a lack of precipitation are causing a sharp increase in the wildfire danger.” …There are currently no active wildfires in the CFA. There have been 82 wildfires recorded by Alberta Wildfire in the region since Jan. 1, burning a total 64.35 hectares.

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