Wildfire burning out of control in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

A wildfire burning in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, about about 75 kilometres southwest of Calgary, is classified as out of control and has prompted the closure of the Burstall Pass day use area. 

The province says the fire started on Friday and estimates it is about 1.2 hectares in size. It's being fought by 20 wildland firefighters equipped with a helicopter to move fire crews and drop water on the flames. There is no immediate threat to nearby infrastructure or communities, according to the government's website.

Wildfire danger in much of southern Alberta is considered extreme as much of the province grapples with hot, dry conditions.

Fourteen provincial parks are also closed this long weekend due to wildfires, and 188 fire bans are in effect at various parks. 

The following provincial parks (PP) and provincial recreation areas (PRA) are closed:

• Aylmer PRA.
• Crescent Falls PRA.
• Elk Creek Fish Pond PRA.
• Elk Creek PRA.
• Elk River PRA.
• Fallen Timber South PRA.
• Highwood Compound PRA.
• Peace River PRA.
• Peppers Lake PRA.
• Peppers Lake Staging PRA.
• Pines PRA.
• Ram Falls PP.
• Red Deer River PRA.
• Wolf Creek PRA.

There are also various road closures in effect near and around parks affected by wildfire. 

According to Alberta Parks' website, the parks are closed because of wildfires burning north of Ram Falls Provincial Park and Crescent Falls PRA, which, as of Saturday morning, were classified as out of control. 

Dale Marshall, president of the Friends of the Eastern Slopes Association — an organization that runs several campgrounds on behalf of Alberta Parks — told CBC News that it's likely the parks will stay closed for the foreseeable future.