Edson Area Update

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.

Be advised that Agriculture and Forestry will be conducting FireSmart maintenance along highway 40 South, north of the Hinton landfill and near the community of Peers.  This work may involve burning piles which will produce smoke.

For the safety and security of the public and our staff, we ask that individuals keep a respectful distance from our facilities.  Please do not approach lookout towers and firebases.

The view from the cupula at Simonette Tower.

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

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

In the past few weeks we had three new wildfires; two lightning-caused and an abandoned campfire which escaped from the fire ring.  The escaped fire burnt a total of 0.03 hectares.  It was fortune that a member of the public reported the wildfire to 310-FIRE before it had the opportunity to spread farther.  

Since March 1, 2020, there have been 46 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning approximately 3 ha.  

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

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

Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 581 wildfires burning a total of 780.18 ha.  

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

IF YOU PLAN TO BURN IT, GET YOUR PERMIT

If you plan on burning within the Forest Protection Area, with the exception of a cooking or heating fire, you must contact your local forestry office to request a fire permit.  You can click here for a listing of forestry offices near you. 

To request a permit within the Edson Forest Area, call 780-723-8527.

MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE AERIAL SURVEYS

Agriculture and Forestry staff as well as mountain pine beetle contractors have begun their aerial survey program looking for areas affected by mountain pine beetle. You may notice helicopters flying low over the forest in a grid-like pattern over the next six weeks.  

To learn more on mountain pine beetle, please visit the Agriculture and Forestry website.  To view maps of previous years' aerial survey data, click here.

Multi-year fading trees caused by Mountain Pine Beetle.

 WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

     

For more information, please contact: