Edson Area Update

A fire advisory is in effect for the Edson Forest Area. All burn permits, with the exception of burn barrels are cancelled and no new permits will be issued until conditions improve.

If you're having a campfire, ensure you have plenty of water nearby and always properly extinguish it before you leave. Soak the ashes, stir them and soak them again until they're cool to the touch. Never leave your campfire unattended.

If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

EWF075 - OUT OF CONTROL - UPDATE 3:00 P.M

Wildfire EWF075 was detected on June 22 and is currently burning out of control 9 km west of Evansburg, north of highway 16 and west of highway 22. The wildfire has crossed the Lobstick River but not highway 16.

Both Alberta Wildfire and Yellowhead County are working in unified command to extinguish this wildfire.

The wildfire has been reassessed and is now estimated to be 180 hectares in size.

There was no overnight spread and very little fire activity and smoke was observed this morning. 

There is currently some fire behavior being observed within the interior of the wildfire. There are some flames visible but the fire is mainly smoldering on the ground and doesn't appear to be growing in size. We anticipate the fire behavior to increase as the temperatures do throughout the day.

The temperature at the fire is currently 25', the relative humidity is 32% and the winds are similar to this morning ranging 4 km/h gusting to 15 km/h from the north west.  

Today, six airtankers and seven helicopters will assist with extinguishing the wildfire. Six pieces of heavy equipment are on stand by if needed.

32 firefighters will be searching for and extinguishing hotspots on the wildfire with more crew members arriving later today. 

UPDATE FROM YELLOWHEAD COUNTY

Today, 31 Yellowhead County Fire Department (YCFD) firefighters are on scene with 12 pieces of firefighting equipment. YCFD will continue with structural fire suppression prevention on residential properties. 

YCFD will continue to work with Agriculture and Forestry (Alberta Wildfire). 

There were 50 residents in the area that were evacuated by Yellowhead County yesterday. For more information, please visit Alberta Emergency Alert https://emergencyalert.alberta.ca/.

If residents have any questions regarding evacuations, they can call the Emergency Information number for residents 1-833-334-4630. This number will be available 24/7.

For possible road closures, please visit https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts or download the app.

A WILDFIRE & EVACUATION INFORMATION STATION is set up at the Entwistle Service Station (Esso) along Hwy 16 (south side) near Hwy 22 and the overpass. 

Wildfire EWF075 continues to burn out of control 9 km west of Evansburg (June 23, 2021 2:00 p.m)

Wildfire EWF075 Wildfire Boundary Map (June 23, 2021)

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is now VERY HIGH.

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 74 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 755 ha. As of today, 92% of our wildfires were human-caused which could have been prevented. 

EWF036 was detected on April 30 and is estimated to be 479 ha in size. The wildfire remains classified as under control and is located 20 km south of Carrot Creek, 25 km north west of Cynthia and 45 km south east of Edson.

Crews will continue to search for hotspots and monitor the wildfire until it is extinguished.

The wildfire poses no threat to any community at this time. The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 576 wildfires burning a total of 1,570 ha.  

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca

FIRESMART TASK OF THE WEEK

Using FireSmart principles is becoming a way of life for many communities in North America. With so many neighborhoods threatened by wildfire each year, residents are taking action and reducing the risk to their homes and properties.

Spring is a great time to make your property Firesmart ready. Here is one easy task you can tackle this week and throughout the summer.

To learn more about FireSmart, visit their website: https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/

WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Albertans are always asked to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors:  

• Before you burn it, get your fire permit. Fire permits in Alberta.
• Clear debris from hot spots on your off-highway vehicle.
• Ensure your campfire is out - soak it, stir it, soak it again.
• Before you head out this weekend, check out the albertafirebans.ca website or download the app to stay informed.

 ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

• Subscribe to the Edson Forest Area wildfire update to receive an email when new information is posted.
• Download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple and Android device.
• Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

     

For more information, please contact: