Dozens of new wildfires in Alberta as heat wave rages on
Posted Jul 18, 2024 8:11 am.
As heat warnings remain in place across the province, wildfires continue to spark up across Alberta.
Fire activity has ignited 47 new wildfires in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of active blazes to about 130.
The Semo Complex Fire, just east of Fort Vermilion, is currently raging out of control, has swelled to over 46,000 hectares in size.
Over 200 firefighters, support staff, 10 helicopters, and pieces of equipment are engaged in the rapid response effort to that fire, which is around nine kilometres from Highway 58 and 30 kilometers northwest of Garden River.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 848 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned more than 293,000 hectares.
Alberta Wildfire says 51 of these fires are classified as out of control, 33 are being held, 44 are under control, and 720 have been extinguished.
A widespread fire ban is still in place for Alberta’s forested areas, with no current highway closures reported.
Residents of areas impacted by wildfire evacuations, including Garden River and Little Red River Cree Nation are eligible for provincial emergency evacuation payments.
More information on Alberta’s current wildfire situation can be found on the province’s website.
