Fort McMurray Area Update

Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update - July 13, 2021

Posted on Tue, Jul 13, 2021

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The wildfire danger in the Fort McMurray Forest Area is HIGH around Fort McMurray, and MODERATE in the Fort Chipewyan/Fort Smith area. A fire restriction remains in place as we anticipate warmer temperatures and a drying trend throughout the week.

FIRE RESTRICTION

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

WILDFIRE UPDATE

There are currently 39 active wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area (FMFA). Lightning starts are significant.

The majority of these wildfires are divided geographically into two Complexes, Martin and Muskeg.

  • Out of Control Wildfires*

    MWF-060 – 50 ha. Located 8 km east of the Imperial Oil facility north of Fort McMurray. The wildfire is being monitored.

    MCX-001-2021 Martin Complex

    MWF-067 – 206 ha. 

    SWF-099 – 4 ha. Located 29 km northwest of Chipewyan Lake.

    18 firefighters and six helicopters are assigned to the complex.

    MCX-002-2021 Muskeg Complex

    MWF-057 – 37 ha. Located 31 km east of Fort Mackay.

    MWF-059 – 100 ha. Located 64 km south and east of Fort Mackay.

    56 firefighters and eight helicopters are assigned to the complex.

    *SWF099 located 28 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lake is now being monitored by the Incident Management Team in the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

    The size of SWF099 will continue to increase over the next few days. Since this wildfire occurs in a zone where it does not threaten communities or resources it is allowed to burn onto the landscape naturally under the watchful eye of experienced fire managers. Using this wildfire management strategy has many benefits; it re-introduces fire onto the landscape, creates a break in the continuous fuels, reduces the intensity of the fire providing safety zones for our firefighting crews to work from and reduces the cost of fighting these wildfires.

    If you have any questions regarding SWF099 please contact Fort McMurray Industry Liaison Mike Gadde 403-880-9296.

Six of our active wildfires are out of control, 23 are being held and nine are under control. Since March 1, there have been 77 wildfires in the FMFA that have burned 13,615.72 (ha). 


PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

As of 10 a.m. there are 80 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.  Six are out of control, 36 are being held, 37 are under control, and one has been turned over to the responsible party.

Since March 1 there have been 824 wildfires in the FPA, burning a total of 17,832.53 (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. The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

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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DOWNLOAD THE NEW ALBERTA WILDFIRE APP

Download the Alberta Wildfire App to access provincial wildfire status maps and updates on your mobile device.

Apple

Android


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For more information, please contact: 

Lynn Daina, Information Officer, Fort McMurray

Phone: 780-799-9253 or the PROVINCIAL Information Officer 1-866-394-3473

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