Abandoned campfire blamed for Canmore wildfire
Posted Sep 14, 2020 1:53 pm.
Last Updated Sep 15, 2020 6:32 am.
CANMORE (660 NEWS) — Investigators are blaming an abandoned campfire for sparking a wildfire north of Canmore earlier this month, and now they want to speak to anyone who was in the area.
On Sept. 4, a fire was reported in the Devil’s Head area by members of the public calling 310-FIRE.The blaze eventually burned more than 676 hectares of forest in the spot popular for hikers and hunters.
With the campfire identified as the cause, Agriculture and Forestry wildfire investigators are working with RCMP to identify people who were in the area between Aug. 30 and Sept. 4.
If you have any information, you can call the provincial tip line at 833-999-3473.
People are being reminded to properly extinguish all campfires, with the best method being to spread the embers within the fire pit, adding water or loose dirt, then stirring and adding more water or dirt until the embers are cool to the touch and you no longer see smoke or steam.
Fines for abandoned or improperly extinguished wildfires can range between $600 and $840, with further charges possible in court.
