Fire Investigators determine abandoned campfire cause for Morgan Heights fire

On October 18, at 2:06 p.m. Regional Emergency Services responded to reports of a wildland fire in the forested area behind McKinley Crescent. Fire crews arrived on scene, and found the fire advancing in the southeast direction. Throughout the fire’s duration, the fire advanced in multiple directions, generated by high winds and extremely dry conditions.

Fire Investigators were able to safely begin their investigation on October 19. The investigation team mapped the fire’s perimeter at ten hectares (25 football fields) and assessed its progression using a drone. Based on the information provided by the 911 caller identifying the initial detection area and statements from first-in emergency crews, the area of origin was identified.

Fire investigators examined the scene of the general area of origin, which consisted of several established campsites near a popular forest trail behind McKinley Crescent, approximately 300 metres from the tree line. Investigators determined a camping site, 20 metres west of the main trail was the specific area of origin.

At the specific area of origin, Fire Investigators discovered a washing machine tub used as an improvised fire pit. Remnants of a camping tent, poles, and other debris and garbage were inside the improvised fire pit. The fire patterns indicated a recent fire within the washing machine tub burned into the duff layer (approximately 1 metre underground) and spread into a surface fire, through the base of the fire pit. This campsite also coincides with the initial detection location identified by the 911 caller. 

“The careless decision to have an illegal campfire and abandon it has caused undue harm to almost every resident in Timberlea. The steady smoke from this smoldering fire, and its continued impact on many could have been avoided. I am urging everyone to take responsibility for their actions in the backcountry, on the Birchwood Trails, and even in their own yards. We all have a role to play in preventing wildfires. You may think your fire is ‘extinguished enough’ and that winter and precipitation on the way will take care of it, but that simply is not the case. The impacts of leaving an illegal campfire unattended are significant. Please remember we are experiencing near-drought conditions, and wildfire hazard continues to be extreme,” said Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz.

“In 2022 alone, Regional Emergency Services have responded to 19 illegal campfires. These illegal campfires are being started in popular places in town, outside of approved fire receptacles, such as Birchwood Trails, Tower Road, Snye Park, Clearwater Drive, North Parsons, among many other locations. These fires are being started in areas that are not approved for burning. There are many approved locations in the region with approved fire receptacles for public use. These can be found at: Snye Park, Lion’s Park, Gregoire Lake, Borealis Park, Howard Pew Park, and Raphael Cree Park,” said Fire Marshal, Nick Brenner.

Fire Permits are required

Fire Permits are required for all open-air burns in the urban service area (Fort McMurray.)

Permits are required for residential fire pits. For information on fire permits within the Urban Service Area, visit rmwb.ca/firepermits.

Update on Morgan Heights Fire

The fire continues to be contained and is no longer burning on the ground’s surface.

The fire is smouldering 1-3 feet underground in areas of muskeg. The fire is approximately 10 hectares in size, which is roughly 25 football fields, and is likely to continue smouldering underground for an extended period of time, due to the size, terrain and warmer weather in the forecast.

This week, firefighters and ground crews from Alberta Wildfire will continue to focus on ground suppression efforts. Many people are asking why helicopter operations and water bombers cannot be used to extinguish the remaining fire. At this point, spraying water on the ground surface is not effective because the fire’s activity is smoldering underground.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Pulse.