Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area - Wildfire Update - Fire Advisory in Effect - June 1, 2020

Posted on Mon, Jun 01, 2020

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We ask that you use caution when you recreate or work in the outdoors and keep watch over your surroundings.  Ensure you fully extinguish your campfire and never leave it unattended.  If you suspect a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is MODERATE.  There are currently no active wildfires.

Over the weekend, the area recorded two wildfires. EWF018 was caused by a fallen power line affected by high winds and is now extinguished.  EWF019 is also extinguished and located west of highway 40 north and west of the Forestry Trunk road burning 0.30ha.  The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation. 

Since January 1, 2020, there have been 19 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning approximately 1.91 ha.  

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

There are currently seven wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Five of these wildfires are under control and two have been turned over to the responsible parties. 

Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 267 wildfires burning a total of 433.77 ha.  

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

Fire Advisory - FB

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

Due to reduced wildfire hazard, advanced operational preparedness and favourable weather conditions in many areas of the province, the fire ban in the Forest Protection Area has now been revoked and a fire advisory has been put in place.

A fire advisory means Albertans in the Forest Protection Area can safely enjoy the use of a fire pit in their backyard, charcoal briquettes on a barbecue, or a safe campfire.

ALLOWED

  • safe wood campfires
  • backyard fire pits
  • charcoal briquette barbecues
  • use of propane, natural gas or powered appliance
  • catalytic or infrared-style heaters
  • safe burning with a permit
  • recreational off-highway vehicle use

PROHIBITED

  • burning (excluding campfires) without a permit
  • unattended or unsafe campfires

Permits may not be issued as usual under a fire advisory. These precautions were put in place as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response plan to avoid multiple disasters at a time when resources may be limited.  Two hundred additional fire fighters were hired and are now trained and positioned to respond to new wildfire starts.

Restrictions can be phased back in as necessary to address wildfire risk area-by-area.  We expect this fire advisory to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in Alberta, while allowing Albertans the freedom to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.  We will re-evaluate daily.

Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.


Forest Protection Area

FOREST PROTECTION AREA OF ALBERTA

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for all aspects of wildfire management within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) of Alberta. This includes wildfire prevention, wildfire response, permit issuance, enforcement and the initiation of fire advisories, restrictions, bans and forest area closures. Authority for these actions is granted under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and supporting regulations.

The FPA covers approximately 62% of the province, and is divided into 10 Forest Areas. Each Forest Area manages their own fire centre, fire bases, airtanker bases and wildfire lookouts. Resources are moved throughout the areas as required, and coordinated through the Alberta Wildfire Coordination Centre in Edmonton.

Note that cities, towns, villages and summer villages, even if embedded within the FPA, are outside of Agriculture and Forestry’s jurisdiction. The local municipality or governing authority is responsible wildfire management on their land base.  In the Edson Forest Area, only the towns of Edson and Hinton are excluded from the FPA.

To find out more about wildfire or the FPA, visit our website: wildfire.alberta.ca

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When wildland firefighters aren't busy fighting wildfires, they spend a lot of their time practicing by doing mock exercises.


 WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

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

 ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

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For more information, please contact:

Caroline Charbonneau
Wildfire Information Officer | Edson Forest Area
 
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