Local fire danger rating remains high as province reports 41 active wildfires

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 9, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

At time of publication, the government says there are more than 40 wildfires currently burning across the province, with 10 classified as out of control and three new wildfires reported over the past 36 hours.

Dry conditions continue to pose a serious fire risk in the region as Cypress Country, County of Newell, County of Forty Mile, Lethbridge County and the M.D of Taber, as well as Medicine Hat, Brooks, Lethbridge remain under an extreme fire danger rating.

The rating is the most severe according to the provincial fire danger rating index, warning that conditions pose a serious risk for fast-spreading, high-intensity fires that can be difficult to control.

More than 1,500 firefighters from Alberta have been working tirelessly since the beginning of the wildfire season in March. So far this year there have been more than 720 total wildfires burning more than 662,000 hectares of land.

According to the provincial wildfire map, the concentration of out-of-control wildfires expected to grow are located in forestry areas north of Lesser Slave Lake and the town of High Prairie.

Current resources including heavy equipment, air tankers and helicopters that can operate during the evening with night vision equipment are being used to contain wildfires, and the province says it has imported firefighters and aircraft from Eastern Canada, Australia and the U.S. Forest Service.

The province has also contracted firefighters to assist in ongoing efforts.

At this time two evacuation orders for the Peerless and Trout Lake and Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17 are in effect, and a fire advisory is in effect for the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Highway 686 between Red Earth Creek and Trout Lake also remains closed to the fire.

“Everyone has a role to play in wildfire prevention,” reads a provincial release. “Follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call 310-FIRE to report it.”

Cypress County is under a fire ban due to dry, hot and windy conditions. The County of Newell downgraded its fire restriction to a fire advisory on Monday, meaning fires are allowed, but a public warning advising extreme caution has been issued. There is currently no fire ban in effect in Medicine Hat.

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