Grass fire north of Calgary under control; downed power line suspected cause

Rocky View County Fire is at the scene of a grass fire north of Calgary, near Symons Valley Road, on Dec. 5, 2023.

A grass fire north of Calgary believed to have been caused by a downed power line has been brought under control.

Police and firefighters advised the public to avoid a section of Symons Valley Road north of Calgary on Tuesday afternoon due to a grass fire.

Airdrie RCMP and Rocky View County Fire crews responded to the scene, located along the road between Township Road 280 and 282.

In an emailed update around 3 p.m., Rocky View County said the fire had been brought under control.

The county said strong winds reaching up to 70 km/hr contributed to the spread of the blaze across approximately 350 acres of land.

The response to the grass fire wrapped up in the late afternoon.

There were no significant losses reported in the fire.

For residents one mile north of Township Road 280 along Simon Valley Road, power outages are expected to continue into the evening as crews make repairs.

Power is expected to be back on in affected areas by 7 p.m. and crews are aiming to reopen Symons Valley Road by 6 p.m.

RCMP said it knew of one household living near the fire that self-evacuated as a precaution.

There is no need for any further evacuations. The county said it will provide affected residents with a detailed re-entry plan by 7 p.m.

Police cleared the scene after fire crews got the blaze under control.

A fire advisory was issued for West Rocky View County on Tuesday after the fire.

Effective immediately, all burning and fireworks permits are suspended and burning is banned.

The advisory, representing moderate fire risk, will remain in effect as long as current conditions remain, the county said.

Some exceptions to the advisory include:

• Indoor household fireplaces;
• Incinerators;
• Burning barrels;
• Camp stoves;
• Barbecues (charcoal briquettes, propane, or natural gas);
• Wood pellet grills;
• Propane/natural gas fire pit;
• Recreational campfires in an approved burn pit;
• Chimeneas;
• Fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas; and
• Oil well flaring.