Wildfire status

A wildfire is out of control when it is growing or expected to grow.  

Most wildfires are classified as out of control when they are first assessed, but can be quickly reclassified if initial attack efforts are successful.

An out of control wildfire may show signs of crown fire (flames burning along the tops of trees) and smoke. It is also possible for many parts of the wildfire to show low activity or little growth, but the wildfire may still be classified as out of control if it is not considered contained.
 

A wildfire is being held when it is not expected to grow beyond its existing boundaries, given current weather conditions and resources.

A wildfire is classified as being held once it is completely contained, meaning a perimeter has been established around the wildfire. The perimeter could be a fire guard, or combination of guard and natural barriers such as a body of water or rocky terrain. 

A wildfire that is being held may still exhibit activity and smoke, but is considered contained. Occasionally, under extreme winds or unusual conditions, a being held wildfire may return to out of control. Generally, once a wildfire is being held, firefighters reinforce containment lines and work on bringing the wildfire under control.

A wildfire is under control when it has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread.

A wildfire is classified as under control once it has been successfully managed and there is no risk that the fire will spread. During this stage, firefighters may still be working to extinguish hot spots, or it may be monitored for any activity. 
Wildfires can remain under control for many months, and may emit smoke during this time. However, this does not indicate that the wildfire is in danger of growing.

Cold temperatures and snow are often the final stage to ensure a wildfire is extinguished. Alberta Wildfire staff will evaluate an under control wildfire to determine if there are any remaining hot spots, or if it can be classified as extinguished.

A wildfire is given a status of turned over when responsibility for the extinguishment of the wildfire has been returned to another agency or individual. 

Before the wildfire is turned over, Alberta Wildfire ensures the agency or individual is willing and able to completely extinguish the wildfire. The wildfire must be considered under control before it is turned over.

A mutual aid wildfire is a wildfire that starts outside of the Forest Protection Area and assistance is being provided by Alberta Wildfire to the lead agency.

These wildfires typically start in a municipal district but become large enough that municipal firefighters may require additional resources to help support it.

If a wildfire status has been added to a mutual aid fire, it will be represented by a coloured circle around the purple flame. A red circle around the purple flame indicates that the mutual aid wildfire is out of control. A yellow circle around the purple flame indicates that it is being held. A green circle indicates that it is under control.

A municipal wildfire is an unwanted, outdoor fire burning in trees, grass or agricultural crops within a municipality’s jurisdiction.

These wildfires are reported to the Government of Alberta by the responsible municipal authority. Alberta Wildfire is not assisting with the response.

The responsible authority is the best source of information for a municipal wildfire.