Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - June 24, 2021 (7:00 p.m)

Posted on Thu, Jun 24, 2021

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A fire restriction is in effect for the Edson Forest Area.

A fire restriction prohibits the use of wood campfires on public land. You may have a campfire inside provincial campgrounds and on private property. Fire permits are now cancelled and no new permits will be issued until conditions improve.

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

Fire Restriction wide

A FIRE RESTRICTION is in place for portions of the Edson Forest Area due to hot and dry conditions, which will increase the fire danger.

Under this restriction:

  • Existing fire permits are suspended;
  • All outdoor fires presently burning under permit must be extinguished, unless approved to continue by a Forest Officer;
  • Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds and backyard fire pits are allowed.

Prohibited:

  • Wood campfires on public land
  • Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

  • Wood campfires on private land
  • Wood campfires within provincial campgrounds in a designated campfire ring
  • Backyard fire pits on private land
  • Charcoal briquette barbeques
  • Propane or natural gas fueled appliances
  • Indoor wood fires
  • Open flame oil devices

Remember to check the hot spots on your Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and remove debris before and after use.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

For more information regarding the fire ban system, visit our website: https://wildfire.alberta.ca/prevention/fire-ban-system.aspx

or you can visit: https://www.albertafirebans.ca/

To view the Ministerial Order:  https://wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status/documents/MinisterialOrder-016-2021.pdf

 

68 EWF075 June 24 1801EWF075 is currently smoldering on the ground 9 km west of Evansburg  (June 24, 2021)

EWF075 - OUT OF CONTROL - UPDATE 7:00 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. The wildfire is estimated to be 180 hectares in size. 

No new growth has been reported since the evening of June 22. There is some open flame in the inside of the perimeter of the fire but very little fire activity or smoke is observed near the perimeter. The fire is mostly smoldering on the ground. 

The temperature at the fire is currently 28 C, the relative humidity is 35%. Winds are calm at 5 km/h from the north west. The fire did not receive any precipitation last night or during the day.

Thirty-four firefighters built containment line and searched for and extinguished hotspots today. Tomorrow, 54 firefighters will continue with operations with the assistance of four helicopters.

Six pieces of heavy equipment are on standby if needed.

UPDATE FROM YELLOWHEAD COUNTY

Yellowhead County has removed the State of Local Emergency as of 6:00 PM on June 24, 2021. It has been determined that the wildfire is no longer a threat to the community and residents are no longer on evacuation alert status.

 

Yellowhead County Fire Department (YCFD) firefighters will cease hands-on structural protection and will demobilize. Alberta Wildfire firefighters will continue firefighting operations and monitor the fire.

 

The YCFD structural protection sprinkler systems will remain on houses throughout the weekend as added protection and Yellowhead County firefighters will be testing the sprinkler systems each morning until they are removed on Monday morning.

 

The Yellowhead County evacuation call centre line is now closed. Residents can call the Yellowhead County administration office in Edson (780) 723-4800 for further information regarding the evacuation and fire.

62 EWF075 Map

No new growth was observed since the evening of June 22. EWF075 Wildfire Boundary Map (June 24, 2021)


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 76 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 579 wildfires burning a total of 1,574 ha.  

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


WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

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

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 ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

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For more information, please contact:

Caroline Charbonneau
Wildfire Information Officer | Edson Forest Area
Cell:  780-740-1341
caroline.charbonneau@gov.ab.ca
 
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