Quarry Ridge Wildfire, April 2025
Illegal campfire sparked grass fire that closed Highway 63 in Fort McMurray: investigators
FORT MCMURRAY, AB. — An illegal campfire was the cause of the fast-moving grass fire that temporarily closed Highway 63 in Fort McMurray on Friday, fire investigators have confirmed.
Regional Emergency Services responded shortly before 3 p.m. after reports of a large plume of smoke in the Quarry Ridge gulley. Fire Marshal Nick Brenner said a thorough investigation determined the fire started on Ridge Trail due to a campfire that was left unattended and improperly extinguished.
Brenner confirmed the blaze was not related to any ongoing controlled burns. He said high winds and dry fuels caused the fire to spread rapidly, growing to about 10 hectares before it was brought under control.
The fire reached Highway 63 within minutes, forcing a temporary closure. Fire crews required the support of air tankers, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft from Alberta Wildfire to help bring the flames under control. The highway was fully reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m.
“Open-air campfires are strictly prohibited within the limits of Fort McMurray,” said Brenner. “Controlled burns are carried out 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.”
Residents are encouraged to follow Alberta Wildfire for wildfire updates, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) for local emergency alerts, and 511 Alberta for real-time highway information. Fire ban updates are available through the Alberta Wildfire app or at albertafirebans.ca.
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