Wind whips wildfires around Calgary
Posted Apr 1, 2021 02:06:54 PM.
Last Updated Apr 1, 2021 11:06:03 PM.
COCHRANE (660 NEWS) — A fiery start to April has crews responding to a pair of wildfires around Calgary on Thursday.
It began with a blaze west of Cochrane, resulting in two homes being evacuated near the Ghost Lake gas station and the Wild Cat gas plant.
Large grass fire west of Cochrane near the Wildcat gas plant. Due to the wind firefighters are having a tough time. RCMP are evacuating nearby homes as precaution. pic.twitter.com/SP5Sv5lRY9
— Nick Blakeney (@CameraGuyNick) April 1, 2021
RCMP closed a portion of Highway 1A between Grand Valley Rd. and Morley Rd., for several hours as gusty winds whipped up the flames and smoke.
Update: Hwy1A between Grand Valley Rd and Morley Rd, west of Cochrane, is now OPEN. (7:35pm) #ABRoads #yyctraffic https://t.co/URuuHUUZ1k
— 511 Alberta (@511Alberta) April 2, 2021
There was also a crash reported on the highway because of the thick smoke reducing visibility.
Kaitlin called 660 NEWS after driving past the scene.
“There’s houses. There’s a house down there but I couldn’t tell if it was on fire, there was too much smoke to see,” she said.
The Town of Cochrane tweeted that there was no threat to the community.
FIRE WEST OF TOWN
We’re hearing reports of a grass fire west of Cochrane (Grand Valley & Hwy 1A area). Currently no impact or danger either within or to the Town of Cochrane — Rocky View County Fire is responding and will notify us if the situation changes. @CochraneFire— Town of Cochrane (@TownofCochrane) April 1, 2021
One of our reporters near the scene said the smoke is so thick he can barely see 20 feet in front of him.
Grassfire west of Cochrane by the Wildcat Gas Plant. The wind is blowing so hard crews are having a difficult time. Listen to the wind as I first arrived on scene. #fire #cochrane @660NEWS @citynewscalgary pic.twitter.com/1He5m6b26G
— Nick Blakeney (@CameraGuyNick) April 1, 2021
Update on grassfire near the Wildcat Gas Plant. There is now one helicopter trying to fight the winds and drop water on the fire. I’ve been pushed back to the road closure as a precaution. @660NEWS @citynewscalgary pic.twitter.com/NsuhglmtrH
— Nick Blakeney (@CameraGuyNick) April 1, 2021
As that fire was still growing, reports came in about another grassfire burning on the northern edge of Calgary, close to an RV and bus yard.
Fire in NW #calgary #yyc pic.twitter.com/MwxWNxj6wS
— Justin Slimm (@justinslimm) April 1, 2021
660 NEWS reporter Justin Slimm was at the scene, and said the strong wind is also playing a major role.
“It looks like that is absolutely spreading the fire. The wind is blowing, it looks like, to the east and that’s the direction that the smoke is going. Kind of towards Simons Valley Blvd.,” he said.
This fire also forcing Calgary police to close a couple of roads in the area while crews respond.
Please be aware of the following road closures and avoid the areas if possible:
– 144 Av. from Shaganappi Tr. to Symons Valley Rd. NW (both directions)
– Northbound Symons Valley Rd. to Mountain view Rd. NW#yyc #yyctraffic— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) April 1, 2021
Here’s the moment @CalgaryPolice told me to leave. #yyc #calgary pic.twitter.com/1pkU1Q5YdE
— Justin Slimm (@justinslimm) April 1, 2021
A wind warning was in effect for Calgary for several hours, urging caution with winds gusting up to 100 km/h.
The warning from Environment Canada ended just before 10 p.m.