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.

Airtankers assisted with wildfire operations on EWF075 9 km west of Evansburg (June 23, 2021)

EWF075 - OUT OF CONTROL - UPDATE 7:30 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. The wildfire is now estimated to be 180 hectares in size.

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

There was no spread today and little fire activity was observed. There were some flames visible but the fire was and is still mostly smoldering on the ground and doesn't appear to be growing in size. 

The temperature at the fire is currently 25 C, the relative humidity is 30% and the winds were similar this morning and throughout the day, ranging 4 km/h gusting to 15 km/h from the north west.  

Today, six airtankers and seven helicopters assisted with fighting the wildfire. Six pieces of heavy equipment are on standby if needed.

Thirty-two firefighters searched for and extinguished hotspots on the wildfire with more crew members arriving later today. The crews made good progress on the fire doing wet lines to contain the fire. They were assisted with helicopters bucketing and airtankers dropping water earlier in the day.

UPDATE FROM YELLOWHEAD COUNTY

Today, 31 Yellowhead County Fire Department (YCFD) firefighters were on scene with 12 firefighting vehicles. YCFD continued with structural fire suppression prevention on residential properties. 

Sprinkler protection will remain on the structures that were affected and YCFD fire crews will remain in the area to monitor all sprinkler systems.

The residents that were evacuated last night by YHC may return to their homes at 7:00 p.m. this evening. The residents that were affected by the evacuation have been contacted by YHC.  

Residents will be on evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice if conditions change. There will be enforcement officers and RCMP assisting with re-entry and patrols.

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.

The station will remain open until 9:00 p.m. tonight and open again at 11 a.m. tomorrow, June 24.

Alberta wildland firefighting crews extinguished hotspots on EWF075 today (June 23, 2021)

Yellowhead County Fire Department firefighters set up structure protection sprinklers.

No new growth was observed since the evening of June 22. 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: