According to officials, two separate grass fires burning in and around Calgary on Thursday afternoon have both been extinguished.
The first large grass fire started west of Calgary just after 1 p.m. Cochrane RCMP said two homes, a gas bar and a gas plant were evacuated due to a grass fire burning in Rocky View County.
Highway 1A was closed down west of Cochrane and east of Highway 40. As of 8:30 p.m., that road had been reopened.
RCMP said at least one collision had been reported along Highway 1A due to the reduced visibility caused by the grass fire smoke.
According to RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, one home was significantly damaged west of the Wild Cat Gas Plant.
Savinkoff told Global News crews will remain on scene all night to monitor for hot spots and flare-ups.
The area is located about 50 kilometres northwest of Calgary.
A second grass fire started in northwest Calgary on Thursday afternoon near Symons Valley Ranch — north of the Nolan Hill and Sage Hill communities — at around 2 p.m.. According to early reports from officials, the fire was larger than McMahon Stadium and described as “significant.”
Roads in the area around Shaganappi Trail and 144 Avenue N.W. had to be shut down to allow crews to attack the fire.
As of 8 p.m., all roads had been reopened.
In a news release issued Thursday night, the Calgary Fire Department said 16 fire apparatus were called just to this fire, including bush buggies, tenders and engines.
The CFD said “the fire created large volumes of smoke prompting many citizens to call 911.”
The cause of the fire is unknown, but officials are encouraging anyone with photos, video or information – especially prior to when crews arrived – to email piofire@calgary.ca
No injuries were associated with the second fire and no buildings were damaged.
Crews will also remain on scene at the second fire to extinguish hot spots and flare-ups.
Fire crews in the region had a busy afternoon beyond just those two fires.
According to a tweet by the Calgary Firefighters Association, more than 23 fire trucks were part of the response to various fires.
To add to things, Calgary and surrounding communities were under a wind warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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