The Devil's Head wildfire near Banff. (Supplied by Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Wildfire

Wildfire near Banff “out of control,” state of local emergency declared

Oct 6, 2020 | 11:52 AM

BANFF, AB – A wildfire northeast of Banff is no longer classified as being held.

Early Monday, the Devil’s Head fire had only burned approximately 600 hectares of land and it was not expected to grow any further. However, strong winds overnight caused a significant increase in wildfire behaviour and intensity.

According to Alberta Wildfire, it broke containment lines to the west which has allowed it to now encompass 3,624 hectares.

As a precaution, the M.D. of Bighorn has called a State of Local Emergency. People in the surrounding area are told to be ready to evacuate, although an evacuation alert has not been announced at this time.

There is some hope, though, as the fire’s current behavior is categorized as a “low-intensity surface fire” and the weather forecast calls for overcast skies with light precipitation.

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