Update: Wildfire Near Bragg Creek Continues To Burn

UPDATE:

The latest information as of 12:30 pm today (May 28) is the McLean Creek area wildfire is not expected to impact the Bragg Creek area today or into tomorrow. The impact in the area, for now, remains on smoke in the area which is dependent on wind direction. Alberta Health Service and Rocky View County have been in contact and if there any air quality issues a statement from AHS will be issued.

Currently, the fire classified as out of control has grown to  approximately100  hectares in size an is approximately 15km south-west of Bragg Creek in Kananaskis Country. Residents of Bragg are asked to stay connected to local media, the county's safe and sound system, and the Alberta Emergency Alert/Alert Ready system in case the situation changes. Also, a reminder to keep cell phones active and on in the overnight period.

Below is an update about the wildfire from our sister news centre in High River with information from yesterday (May 27).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70PXFmrG1UI

An Alberta Emergency Alert was sent out Sunday, May 27 at 3:52 p.m. due to an out of control wildfire 16 km south west of Bragg Creek.

Rob Evans, Fire Chief for the local fire department in Redwood Meadows says the M.D. of Foothills put out a voluntary evacuation order.

"For the area down highway 762, west of highway 762, south of Bragg Creek and the fire is still about 7 km away from there but it was moving in a northeasterly direction towards some residences so they thought it was prudent to put out at least a voluntary evacuation order."

The fire is in the south end of McLean Creek and is still burning having already consumed 100 hectares of forest.

Evans says his team is ready to help.

"Right now Redwood Meadows Fire Hall is the staging area so if they need any type of evacuation or structure protection with sprinklers, that type of thing we would be sending crews from here down south to help the MD of Foothills fire department.  There's firefighters here from Redwood Meadows and Rocky View fire services."

"Yes, they have been using aircraft for the firefighting. It was a rather large fire and very active and just too dangerous for ground crews.  So ground crews are working on the side of it but the aircraft are working primarily to put retardant around it from what I understand as well as bucketing inside the retardant area as well."

Evans says the fire could become worse if the weather forecast is accurate.

"I was looking at the forecast and they were calling for some pretty gusty winds. That's gonna make it really dangerous because you can't predict it.  There's a cold front that's going to be coming through and when that comes through the winds are going to pick up quite substantially and that will add to it."

However, the fire has slowed it's progress for now but it is still growing and moving slowly in a northeasterly direction on the east side of the Elbow River near McLean Creek. 

There is no immediate danger to Bragg Creek area residents or need for them to evacuate.