Over 150 Wildfires Burn Across Alberta, Many Out of Control

Alberta Wildfire has reported another 47 wildfire starts in the past 24 hours as 150 wildfires burn across the province, according to CBC News (7-17-24).

Of the fires burning within Alberta’s wildfire protection areas, 51 are burning out of control, 34 are being held, and 42 are under control. A heat warning persists across much of Alberta, with daytime temperatures anticipated to range from 28 to 36 degrees Celsius, or 82 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit, during the next seven to nine days.

The fire danger is similarly elevated in many areas of the province, the majority falling under a very high danger with pockets of extreme fire danger.

Alberta Wildfire says most new wildfires in July have been caused by lightning, CBC News reported. Around half of wildfires this year are suspected to have been caused by human activity and 30% by lightning. About 20% remain under investigation.

The largest wildfire in the province covers 82,709 hectares (204,378 acres), one of two out-of-control wildfires in the Cattail Lake Complex. The fire is about seven kilometers northeast of industrial facilities, 63 kilometers northeast of Fort McKay, and 68 kilometers northeast of Fort McMurray. On Tuesday, the fire spread remains northward.