More Alberta heat records broken, including in Calgary

It’s been sizzling in Alberta this week, and on Wednesday, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says 29 heat records were broke across the province.

This includes the City of Calgary, which hit 34.2 C, breaking the previous record of 34.0 C, set in 1985.

Airdrie also broke a nearly 40-year-old record, as did the Edmonton area, Drumheller, Edson and Lacombe.

Wednesday’s record-breaking heat also prompted the province to introduce a fire ban for Alberta’s entire Forest Protection Area.

The ban includes Kananaskis Country and much of the Foothills west of Calgary, but national parks and towns are exempt from the ban.

The ban means all outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public or private land, designated campgrounds and backyard firepits are prohibited. People in the Forest Protection Area can no longer use charcoal briquette barbeque, fireworks or exploding targets.

All fire permits issued by the province are now suspended or cancelled, and no new permits will be issued while the ban remains in place.

The province said Tuesday the wildfire danger in Alberta is climbing to very high and extreme levels due to the heat wave this week.

The community of Garden River in northern Alberta was ordered to evacuate due to a wildfire on Wednesday. A provincial alert says residents are not in immediate danger, but there are concerns the fire could cut off access to the only road into the community.

The heat is expected to persist in the city Thursday, but relief could come in the form of showers or thunderstorms in the evening.

Calgary’s Friday forecast predicts a high of 25 C and a humidex of 27 C with a high UV. Temperatures are expected to drop over the weekend but are still above normal for this time of year, which ECCC says is 23 C.

-With files from CityNews Staff