Fort McMurray Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Fort McMurray Forest Area is HIGH around Fort McMurray, and HIGH in the Fort Chipewyan/Fort Smith area.

There is currently no fire restriction in place for the Fort McMurray forest protection area.

WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since our morning update there have been two new lightning wildfire starts. There are currently 21 active wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area (FMFA). Two fires are out of control, 12 are being held and seven are under control. Since March 1, there have been 92 wildfires in the FMFA, burning a total of 42,04.27 (ha).

MWF-090 - is out of control at 3 (ha), located 2.2 km northwest of highway 63 at the 208 km marker. It is not threatening any values at risk. There are eight fire fighters, one helicopter and an Air Tanker working on this fire.

MWF-091 - is out of control at .1 (ha), located 90 km west of Fort McMurray. It is not threatening any values at risk. There are eight fire fighters, two helicopters and an Air Tanker working on this fire.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE as of 10 a.m.

There are currently 55 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Two are out of control, 15 are being held and 38 are under control.

Since March 1 there have been 959 wildfires in the FPA, burning a total of 47,587 (ha).

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

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.

Extra caution must be used by recreationalists. Ensure your cooking and warming fires are out, and check your OHV for excess debris around the muffler. It can ignite and fall, causing a wildfire.

If you are found responsible for causing a wildfire, you can be charged with the cost of fighting that wildfire.

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TAKE THE PLEDGE

Residents from the Fort McMurray area are invited to take the wildfire pledge and protect our forests. Help prevent human-caused wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area (FMFA) by signing our wildfire pledge. By taking the pledge, your name will be automatically entered into a draw to win an educational helicopter tour.

The FMFA averages 25 human-caused wildfires per year. Over the last 10 years, these wildfires have cost the government nearly $19 million per year.

Let’s work together to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in the FMFA. Commit to reducing human-caused wildfires today:

I will always use fire responsibly and safely in the FMFA.
I will fully extinguish my campfire by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again.
I will stop and check my off-highway vehicle regularly for built-up debris while riding off-road.
I will report any smoke I see in the forested areas to 310-FIRE.
I will be an ambassador for fire safety when enjoying Alberta’s forested areas with friends and family.

Take the pledge

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