Illegal campfire blamed for grass fire that temporarily closed Hwy 63 near Fort McMurray
Campfire had been improperly extinguished and left unattended
An illegal campfire caused a grass fire that temporarily closed a section of highway near Fort McMurray late last week, fire investigators said Monday.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo firefighters tackled the blaze in the Quarry Ridge gully shortly before 3 p.m. Friday with the assistance of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft from Alberta Wildfire and water bombers.
Highway 63 was fully reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m.
An investigation found that the fire started on Ridge Trail and was caused by a campfire that had been left unattended and improperly extinguished.
Fire marshal Nick Brenner said the fire was not related to any controlled burns.
"Open-air campfires are strictly prohibited within the limits of Fort McMurray," Brenner said in a news release.
"Controlled burns are conducted by trained Regional Emergency Services and Alberta Wildfire personnel — and only when conditions are safe. These proactive burns help reduce wildfire risk by removing dry grass and other fuels."