Change in weather and wind could also bring B.C. wildfire smoke to Calgary region
As Calgarians watch the northern half of their province burn, there’s a fear the mountains to the west could follow suit and ignite.
“We’re going to get a little bit smokier, I have concerns about the westerlies because the Kootenays are exploding (with wildfires) at this time,” said Brian Proctor.
But he said the air quality index should remain moderate for the next week, unless the winds bring smoke directly from the plumes of B.C. fires, which are worsening by the minute.
As of noon Tuesday, Environment Canada’s air quality health index sat at 7, which is at the lower end of the high-risk scale — up from 6 the previous day.
There have been considerable preparations to mitigate major wildfires — such as the use of prescribed burns — within Banff National Park, which is ripe for a severe wildfire, said Michael Flannigan, a forestry and wildfire researcher at Thompson Rivers University.
“There is lots of fuel in the (Bow) Valley — they too have been preparing for fire for decades but if things were extreme (it might not prevent a major blaze),” said Flannigan.
“It’s going to be a challenging situation there and in other parts of Alberta – it’s a ‘watch out’ day.”
The fact Banff is accessed by only one road, the Trans-Canada Highway, poses a concern if a speedy evacuation was needed.
On Tuesday, there was one wildfire in the Calgary Forest Area northwest of the city that was listed as being held.
It’s one of 170 wildfires burning across the province, up from 159 the previous day of those blazes on Tuesday, 56 were deemed out of control.
“Everyone hates it but it’s proven very effective previously . . . it’d be a tough decision to make,” he said.
That approach was taken in central and eastern Canada during the country’s worst-ever wildfire season in 2023 “but they used it too late,” he added.
Spring rain did little to quench dry forests near Calgary
Meteorologist Proctor said the threat of wildfire in the Rockies west of Calgary is very real due to ongoing drought conditions that have left the forest floor tinder dry.
“Everyone’s concerned,” said Proctor. “We got moisture in May but it didn’t do a lot to address the long-term moisture situation, particularly in B.C.”
A fire ban was imposed on Banff National Park on July 13 and remains in effect while Rocky View County, which surrounds Calgary on three sides, imposed one Tuesday.
“That’s going to be problematic, along with more westerly winds, which is a drying thing,” said Proctor.
Local officials are keeping a close eye on the fire situation near the city, said Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Chief Sue Henry.
“We remain in contact with the province for any other (firefighting) resources,” said Henry.
With the potential of the wildfire smoke conditions worsening in Calgary and the continuing extreme heat, Henry reminded people to take precautions such as closing windows, avoiding strenuous activities and looking in on the most vulnerable, such as seniors and those with chronic health conditions.
“Take care of those most susceptible to health issues,” she said.