Calgarians asked to do their part for urban wildfire awareness

Fire Chief Steve Dongworth announces new wildfire awareness campaign

The Calgary Fire Department has announced their first, multi-year dedicated wildfire resilience and prevention campaign. This year, it runs from August 3rd, to September 6th, and is funded in part by the Forest Resource Improvement Association (FRIAA) FireSmart program.

The campaign asks Calgarians to review potential steps to help ensure wildfire safety, and to be aware of risk factors.

These types of campaigns are common in more rural areas, but Calgary’s unique topography and multiple “wildland-urban interfaces” where residential areas are near natural vegetation. The city has announced detailed maps you can find here, including community-specific maps, in order to help residents determine if they are in a potentially in an area for concern.

According to a news release from the city of Calgary, wildfire and other types of outdoor fires have seen increased activity since 2020, much like other areas in Western Canada. As of July 2026, Calgary Fire has responded to more wildfire incidents in the first half of the year than the individual years from 2017-2020.

Currently, the fire department has a fire advisory active in the city, and are asking residents to exercise caution when using open flames.

Wildland Fires Yearly Trends
Source: Calgary Newsroom

“If nature is next door, wildfire is a risk. Learn about outdoor fire risk specific to where you live – and then take any number of our recommended big and small actions that will make a difference to reduce wildfire, grass and bush fire risk in and around your home and community,” says Chief Dongworth.

Calgarians are asked to:

1.  Create a safe perimeter around your home and property. Take steps to remove combustibles. Limit the amount of flammable vegetation in any potential ignition zone close to your residence.
2.  Manage fuels and flammable materials. Store propane tanks, firewood and yard waste away from your home. Do not store propane tanks inside.
3.  Upgrade when renovating. Choose ignition resistant building materials and construction techniques.
4.  Practice outdoor fire safety everywhere. Improper disposal of smoking materials remains one of Calgary’s leading causes of outdoor fires. Extreme caution should be used in the city’s natural areas and green spaces during fire bans and periods of high temperatures.
5.  Prepare and know what to do. Learn how to become more resilient during periods of wildfire smoke and maintain an emergency kit with wildfire-specific items such as N95 masks. Always call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

After hosting a press conference, Chief Dongworth took some questions from the press. He was asked about the level of wildfire concern this year compared to others.

Chief Dongworth was asked about potential increased regulation for scooters and e-bikes with ion batteries.

“Becoming more resilient in the face of increasing wildfire risk is a multi-year process,” he says. “We don’t expect everyone to replace their roofing and siding however there is a lot that Calgarians can do today, whether  you rent or own your home – or while visiting our City’s parks and natural areas.”