BIGHORN – A fire that had burned almost 700 hectares near Banff National Park has gone from "under control" to "being held."
Alberta Wildfire announced Thursday (Oct. 1) morning that the area around the Devil's Head wildfire was closed to the public while crews fought the blaze.
"Today the status was changed – for the last couple of weeks it was classified as under control, but now it has changed to being held," said Matthew Anderson, wildfire information officer for the Calgary area .
The area around the Devil’s Head wildfire is now closed to the public while #ABWildfire crews fight the wildfire. The forest area closure is approx. 18.5 k ha, east of Banff National Park. The closure will remain in effect until it is safe to reopen the area. pic.twitter.com/JTav4F9y7C
— Alberta Wildfire (@AlbertaWildfire) October 1, 2020
While there is currently no threat to public safety, Anderson said the fire had started igniting in areas that were previously left untouched from the initial fire.
"We are managing the one out there for today [with] extinguishment on the eastern bank of the fire and supported by helicopters with buckets," Anderson said.
With 14 firefighters and five helicopters managing the blaze, the wildfire officer said they are also looking at more controlled aerial ignition to burn areas around the fire to prevent it from spreading.
The Devil's Head wildfire started on Labour Day long weekend in the Black Rock Mountain area in Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park. The area is within the MD of Bighorn and along the eastern edge of Banff National Park near Lake Minnewanka.
To battle the initial blaze, there was four helicopters, an air tanker and 26 firefighters sent out.
Less than a week after the fire started, investigators determined it was caused by an abandoned campfire.
Investigators are working with RCMP to identify anyone who may have been in the area between Aug. 30 and Sept. 4.
The fine for failing to extinguish a campfire ranges from $600 to $840. The fine for an abandoned campfire is $600.
Those with information are asked to call the toll-free tip line at 833-999-3473.
