MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY – A fire ban was enacted in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Wednesday as the wildfire risk in the area was elevated to very high.
“The wildfire danger in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is very high due to continued dry conditions and lack of precipitation,” a May 7 Alberta Wildfire update said.
“The absence of significant precipitation has left vegetation extremely dry, increasing the risk of wildfires starting, spreading quickly and becoming difficult to contain,” it continued. “As a result of these conditions, a fire ban is now in effect for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area.”
Parts of Mountain View County are included in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, namely west of Sundre and Bergen, covering Coal Camp and Bearberry west of Range Road 60 from Township Road 312 to the north boundary of the county. A wildfire burning in the area since Saturday is classified as under control.
Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited and existing fire permits are suspended.
Prohibited:
• All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public and private land, designated fire pits and backyard fire pits
• Barbecue charcoal briquettes
• Fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
• Propane fire pits and natural gas-powered appliances
• Indoor wood fires
• Open flame oil devices
The fire ban will remain in effect in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area until conditions improve, the update said.
The remainder of Mountain View County is under a fire restriction enacted May 2.
Since January 1, 2025 there have been 34 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, burning a total of 116.77 hectares -- three of which are active wildfires.
