Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area - Wildfire Update - January 22, 2021

Posted on Fri, Jan 22, 2021

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We ask that you monitor forecasted winds, weather and your burns closely.  Always ensure you have sufficient tools on site.

Once you've completed your burning, ensure you fully extinguish your piles. If fires aren’t properly put out, they can spread and burn underground, under the snow and ice, all winter. Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires. 

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

2 Jan 15 Burn Piles Bradens PhotoCheck your winter burns often and ensure you fully extinguish your piles once you've completed your project.

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains LOW.  There are currently no active wildfires in the area.  

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


PROPERTY OWNERS & FIRESMART

FireSmart is living with and managing for wildfire.  Preparing for the threat of wildfire is a shared responsibility. Community members, community leaders, forest companies, industry and government all have a responsibility to lessen the effects of wildfire. FireSmart uses preventative measures to reduce wildfire threat to Albertans and their communities while balancing the benefits of wildfire on the landscape.

If you're a property owner, learn more on how you can FireSmart your land and protect yourself as well as those around you.  Click on the link for the newest edition to the Farm and Acreage Magazine.


WINTER BURNING

At this time of year, industry and landowners often take advantage of the cooler weather to burn debris and brush on their land. However, under current conditions you need to be extremely careful that your actions don’t start a wildfire.  We are urging anyone doing winter burning to ensure that their piles have been fully extinguished once completed. If fires are not properly put out, they can spread and burn underground, even under the snow and ice, all winter.  Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires. 

Following safe burning practices during this period will help prevent holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although snow helps reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that you check regularly all fall and winter burn sites to ensure that the fire is out. Walk the burn area and roll over any debris to check for hot spots.  The best way to find hotspots is to look for visible signs of burning such as melting snow around the edges, touch the burn area with your hands and smell for smoke. 

Here are a few things to consider when burning this winter:

  • Ensure that you have the proper tools with you at the burn site.
  • Be aware of forecasted wind conditions.  Wind can pick up sparks or embers and start a wildfire if the conditions are right.
  • As with any burning, do not attempt to burn more than you can control.
  • Actively manage burn projects to reduce disposal time and smoke impacts.  Continually re-pile if needed.  Burning debris in stages will allow you to adapt to changing weather conditions and reduce smoke.  Lower temperatures and lighter wind speeds can result in stronger inversions. The ideal conditions for burning are typically days with no inversions, average temperatures and a slight wind.
  • Consult local municipalities or Agriculture and Forestry on how to mitigate impacts when undertaking larger winter burning projects near communities or roadways.
  • If you have any questions about proper burning procedures, visit wildfire.alberta.ca or phone 310-0000.
  • Fire permits are required during wildfire season which is between March 1st and October 31st.  All burn piles must be fully extinguished before the start of wildfire season.

Fire permits are only required during wildfire season and therefore you are not currently required to contact Alberta Wildfire when burning, however we appreciate the information in the event that smoke is reported by the public.  

To assist the Edson Forest Area, please report your winter burning by contacting the dispatch line directly (780) 723-8507 (leave a voice message) or by email at wf.wfops-edsn@gov.ab.ca with the following:

  • name of landowner burning or company and representative name
  • phone number in case of emergency
  • legal land description or latitude/longitude

You can refer to the Brush Piles and Windrows Pamphlet for more information and safe burning practices.


YOU MAY SEE SMOKE OR FLAME IN THE FOREST

Government-hired contractors are currently doing mountain pine beetle (MPB) survey and control in the forest until the end of March.  For more information on MPB, strategies and preventing the spread, click here to visit our website.


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
Cell:  780-740-1341
caroline.charbonneau@gov.ab.ca
 
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