Wildfire near Morley, Alta. under control

Alberta’s tinder dry conditions led to a wildfire sparking just west of Calgary this week.

The fire reportedly began at about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the base of Mount Yamnuska. A status map on the Government of Alberta’s website said the fire was burning out of control near Morley and was about three hectares in size.

As of Wednesday at 10 a.m., the status map indicated the fire was under control and down to about one hectare in size.

Global News viewer Rachel Snow said aircraft could be seen dropping water or fire retardant on trees in the area on Tuesday night.

“It’s a mountainous region so there’s a lot of trees,” Snow said. “So there may not be homes in the area.”

Wildfire Information Officer Matthew Anderson said the standard procedure when the fire hazard is rated at “high” or above is to send a double dispatch.

“That means two air tanker groups and two additional attack groups are dispatched to any smoke calls that are reported, and usually they’re with helicopters,” he said.

Morley is located about 50 kilometres west of Calgary.

– With files from Doug Vaessen