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Wildfire Update (RWF036)

Wildfire Update RWF036 - May 22, 1:00 p.m.

Clearwater County’s State of Local Emergency (SOLE) for wildfire RWF036 has been terminated as of 1:00 PM today, May 22, 2026. While the SOLE is no longer in effect, the wildfire situation is still active.

RWF036 remains classified as “Being Held”. With updated mapping, the wildfire is currently estimated at 957 hectares. Alberta Wildfire continues to actively manage the fire with perimeter containment in place.

Road Safety Reminder

Please continue to SLOW DOWN and obey all road signs along Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road) and Highway 584. Some sections remain reduced to 30 km/h while firefighters are working along the roadside. The busiest times are 7:30–9:00 AM and 7:30–8:30 PM.

Fire Danger Rating

Wildfire Danger in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is currently moderate. While some areas have received scattered rain and snow, warm daytime temperatures and wind can quickly dry vegetation and increase wildfire risk. Please continue to use caution with any outdoor activities that could start a wildfire. 

Note: Currently, HUMAN ACTIVITY is suspected to be the cause of 74% of wildfires in Alberta this year. Always follow local rules and stay vigilant. 

Additional Information:


Wildfire Update RWF036 - May 19, 3:30 p.m.

Alberta Wildfire continues to make good progress on RWF036, which remains classified as “being held”. This means the fire is not expected to grow beyond its current boundaries under existing weather conditions and with resources in place.

The evacuation alert for the area was lifted yesterday afternoon. Clearwater County’s State of Local Emergency remains in effect while portions of Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road) are closed.

Fire restrictions in the non-Forest Protection Area of Clearwater County, including the Summer Village of Burnstick Lake, have been lifted effective today at 1:00 p.m. Please check albertafirebans.ca for current fire restrictions in neighbouring municipalities.

Please continue to avoid the fire area and give firefighters and aircraft ample space to operate safely. 

SLOW DOWN: Firefighters are still working to get this wildfire under control and extinguished. Please obey the road signs along Highway 584 and Highway 40 as some sections have been reduced to 30 km/h as firefighters are working along the road side. The busiest times are 7:30-9:00 am and 7:30-8:30 pm as crews enter and exit their work area. Thank you for keeping our firefighters safe! For more information for road closures you can visit 511.

We extend our sincere thanks to all firefighters, support crews, agencies, and provincial partners for their outstanding effort and dedication in containing this fire.

Safety Reminder: A fire that grew from 100 to 1,000 hectares in just six hours highlights how quickly wildfire can spread, always respect closures and stay vigilant.

This will be the final update for RWF036 unless conditions change.


Wildfire Update RWF036 - May 18, 4:30 p.m.

Alberta Wildfire crews and assisting agencies have made strong progress over the last 24 hours, successfully establishing a containment perimeter around the fire. RWF036 is now classified as being held.

Today, ground crews will continue reinforcing the dozer guard and fire lines, while also patrolling and addressing any remaining hotspots.

The evacuation alert for the area has been cancelled, but Clearwater County’s State of Local Emergency (SOLE) remains in effect. 

Please continue to avoid the area and give firefighters and aircraft plenty of space to operate safely.

This will be the only update for Monday, May 18, unless conditions change.


Wildfire Update (RWF036) - May 17, 2026, 1:00 p.m.

There are no new updates at this time, the situation remains unchanged.

Alberta Wildfire continues to fight the 1,043-hectare out of control wildfire. Despite cooler weather and scattered snow/rain, crews are actively building containment along the north perimeter and working on interior hotspots today.

The area remains on evacuation alert (no mandatory evacuation order). Please avoid the area, give firefighters and aircraft plenty of space, and stay safe. Smoke may be visible but poses no risk to nearby communities.

We’ll post updates as soon as new information is available.


Wildfire Update (RWF036) - May 16, 2026, 11:55 a.m.

Despite cooler temperatures and scattered snow/rain helping to slow activity, the wildfire remains out of control due to its size and challenging terrain. Firefighters, heavy equipment, and night-vision helicopters worked overnight to limit spread, with additional crews and aircraft continuing operations today.

Smoke may be visible from nearby communities, but there is no current risk to them. Aircrafts may be scooping water from local lakes and rivers, please avoid the area and give firefighters and aircraft plenty of space to operate safely.


Wildfire Update (RWF036) - May 15, 2026, 4:10 p.m.

RWF036 remains classified as out of control and has grown to approximately 1,043 hectares in size. This wildfire is located approximately 5 km north of the James-Wilson Provincial Recreation Area, approximately 30 km west of the Town of Sundre and 20 km southwest of Burnstick Lake (northwest of Sundre near Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road) and Highway 584.)

This area remains on evacuation alert. There is no mandatory evacuation for residents at this time; however, the public has been cleared of this area to allow for firefighting operations to take place. Avoid the area until further notice. This alert will be updated if an evacuation of residents in the area is required. To support resources, Clearwater County has issued a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) for the impacted area. See maps links below:


Wildfire Update (RWF036) - May 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m.

Alberta Wildfire is actively responding to the out-of-control wildfire located in the Rocky Mountain Forest Area approximately 5 km north of the James-Wilson Provincial Recreation Area, northwest of Sundre near Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road) and Highway 584.

According to Alberta Wildfire, improved mapping and assessment of the wildfire has determined the fire is now estimated at approximately 1,028 hectares in size and remains classified as out of control. Firefighters, supported by air tankers, helicopters, and heavy equipment, continue suppression efforts.

Clearwater County has issued a wildfire alert with an evacuation alert  surrounding the wildfire area with a 10 km radius. The evacuation area map includes properties west of Range Road 80 and north of the James River.

All campers, traffic, and anyone in the backcountry within 10 km of Highway 734 near the Highway 584 junction have been evacuated and access has been restricted.

We are aware of questions regarding Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans within the County. Currently the Non-Forest Protection Area (FPA) of Clearwater County is in a fire restriction, while the FPA does not have an advisory. For the most up to date information, and a map, visit https://www.albertafirebans.ca/.

Although this wildfire, RWF036, is located within the FPA managed by Alberta Wildfire, the County continues to monitor and act in a supporting role.

We will provide further updates as more information becomes available or if the situation changes (e.g., evacuation orders).

Parts of Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road) remain closed, see 511Alberta for full details: https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts

For current wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard: Rocky Mountain House Forest Area | Alberta.ca

Sign up for Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Updates here: Rocky Mountain House Forest Area | Alberta.ca 

Be Prepared!
Be Prepared!