Wind-Blown Embers Spark Small Wildfire Near Kananaskis YMCA

Fire crews from multiple agencies were dispatched Wednesday to a small but fast-moving wildfire near the Kananaskis YMCA after wind-blown embers from debris burning ignited dry grass and forest fuels, according to the Municipal District of Bighorn.

The fire, identified on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard as CWF-003, was reported on Jan. 14 and mapped at approximately 0.30 hectares. It is classified as “under control,” meaning it has received sufficient suppression action to prevent further spread, though firefighters may continue monitoring and extinguishing hot spots.

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Municipal District of Bighorn said two local fire departments, along with Kananaskis Emergency Services and Alberta Forestry, responded after embers from debris piles that had been burning since late December were carried by wind and ignited nearby vegetation.

“A contractor has been burning debris piles since late Dec. The debris piles were allowed to completely burn themselves out,” the municipality said. “A few piles still had hot embers, and when the wind picked up it carried the embers and started a small wildfire. Crews were able to action the fire quickly and stopped it from spreading.”

The MD of Bighorn warned that anyone conducting debris burning is responsible for ensuring fires are fully extinguished before being left unattended and noted that landowners can be held liable and charged for emergency response costs.

However, Calgary Forest Area officials said a final investigation report is still pending. Anastasia Drummond, media representative for the Calgary Forest Area, said the wildfire is now considered under control, but remains under investigation.

Drummond said firefighters from the Calgary Forest Area and municipal partners have already responded to four wildfires in the region so far in 2026, an unusually early start to the season. CWF-003 is the only one currently listed as active, with the others extinguished.

The incident comes as wildfire danger levels across the Calgary Forest Area have risen to “moderate,” despite it being mid-January. Warm temperatures and strong winds have accelerated snowmelt in foothills and grassland areas, exposing large amounts of dead, dry vegetation capable of carrying fire, according to Alberta Wildfire.

“Although much of the forest area remains under snow, these snow-free foothill and grassland areas now have an abundance of dead and dry fuel available to burn,” Drummond said.

Under Alberta Wildfire definitions, a fire is classified as “under control” once there is no risk of further spread, though smoke may still be visible and crews may continue monitoring for lingering heat. Cold temperatures and sustained snow cover are typically the final factors that allow a fire to be officially declared extinguished.

The Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard continues to list CWF-003 as under control, with its general cause recorded as under investigation.