Southeast region fire danger elevated to ‘extreme’ with extended heat, lack of moisture

Following almost two weeks with no significant precipitation, and little or no overnight moisture, fire danger levels across a large section of Alberta, including here in the south, have climbed considerably.

Where it was dark blue, or a low rating on the coloured scale just 10 days ago, it now ranges from dark brown, very high, to red or Extreme.

Under the extreme classification definition by Alberta Wildfire, “Forest fuels are extremely dry and pose a very serious fire risk. Fast-spreading, high-intensity fires are likely, which are very difficult to control.”

Any help from Mother Nature, though, to lessen the danger is at least the better part of a week away, with only a 30 per cent chance of showers on Wednesday.