Fire danger 'very high' for the Bow Valley

BOW VALLEY - Alberta Agriculture and Forestry increased the fire danger to "very high" for the Bow Valley on May 24.

The increased fire rating follows several grass fires on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation Reserve, including a 14 hectare fire that started approximately one kilometre west of Cochrane on May 23.

According to the province, the fire remained contained as of 3 p.m. and was not expected to grow.

In Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, Parks Canada moved the fire rating to "high." There is no fire ban in effect.

In Jasper National Park, Parks Canada issued a blanket fire ban across the entire park, including all campgrounds, day use areas and the town site.

The fire ban includes all open fires, except for portable propane fire pits, stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating. Propane and gas lanterns as well as patio heaters are also allowed.

Elsewhere in the province, particularly in the northern part of Alberta, the fire danger was rated as "extreme."

According to the province's fire map, there are currently 14 wildfires that remain out of control, including one that is threatening the hamlet of Janvier and Chipewyan Prairie First Nation in the southern part of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Local media reports indicate officials told residents to prepare for a possible evacuation Wednesday night (May 24) as the out-of-control wildfire was burning 10 km south of the community.

For more information about wildfires visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca.