Calgary

Fire sparks in southeast Calgary park hours after grass fire contained at McHugh Bluff

Calgary fire crews battled a blaze at McHugh Bluff on Monday afternoon, followed by a separate fire near Harvie Passage at Pearce Estate Park.

Homes threatened, park evacuated in 2 separate fires

Grass fire creeps dangerously close to houses in northwest Calgary neighbourhood

1 year ago
Duration 0:57
Firefighters battled a blaze burning north of Calgary's downtown after it came close to homes and threatened properties and vehicles in the area.

A grass fire burning in the McHugh Bluff area of Calgary was put out after creeping dangerously close to nearby homes overlooking downtown.

At 2:30 p.m. Monday, the Calgary Fire Department responded to calls from residents who were concerned as the flames approached their houses.

More than a dozen fire vehicles were dispatched to the area north of downtown. Firefighters were working through the afternoon to control the blaze near 5A Street and Ninth Avenue N.W.

Smoke rising from a fire.
A grass fire near 5A Street and Ninth Avenue N.W. has been contained and is no longer a threat to homes in the area. (Elizabeth Withey/CBC)

"The fire is on quite a steep hill, and so it definitely created some challenges," said Carol Henke, public information officer with the fire department.

"We have quite a few apparatus here to fight the fire."

Henke said the blaze had been contained and was prevented from damaging any structures. No injuries were reported.

Crews were putting out hot spots and were using thermal imaging cameras to find other areas that might be hidden or covered by brush.

It's unclear how the blaze started, but a fire investigator was on scene Monday to look at possible causes.

Smoking rising from a distance
Crews were extinguishing hot spots from the fire that started at around 2:30 p.m. on Monday. ( Elizabeth Withey/CBC)

Park evacuated after another fire

Hours after the fire at McHugh Bluff, crews were busy battling a separate blaze near Harvie Passage at Pearce Estate Park.

Calgary police evacuated the park and managed traffic around the area while firefighters extinguished the flames. 

A man at the scene approached police and admitted to having started the fire by collecting a pile of poplar tree fluff and setting it ablaze.

The 33-year-old man was charged with one count of arson. 

A fire advisory that was previously in place for the city due to ongoing wildfire risk across the province was lifted June 1. 

The fire department continues to urge citizens to use caution when using outdoor open flames — that includes using barbecues and backyard fire pits and when disposing of smoking materials.