Fort McMurray Area Update

Fort McMurray Wildfire Update - May 4, 2016

Posted on Tue, May 03, 2016

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The wildfire in the Fort McMurray area (MMF-009) remains out of control and has burned approximately 7,686 hectares. 

Alberta Emergency Alert has issued mandatory evacuation for the City of Fort McMurray. Evacuation information can be found at http://emergencyalert.alberta.ca/alerts/2016/05/3709.html

There are firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment working on the wildfire and more resources are on their way.

Residents should tune into local media for updates. Residents can call the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for information at 780-762-3636.

 

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This means safe campfires are allowed in fire rings in campgrounds only.  No open fires are allowed in backcountry or random camping areas.  Fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits are being issued.  All previous burning should be extinguished.

The fire restriction will be in place until conditions change.

Quads and Off-highway vehicle (OHV) Use

  • Defer any non-essential use.
  • If you have to use a quad or OHV, stick to gravel roads.
  • If you choose to use a quad or OHV, stop frequently to remove the debris from your machine's hot spots.  Stomp on the debris until it is no longer hot  or smouldering.
  • Carry firefighting equipment with you at all times on the OHV – water, shovel, bucket.

Heavy Equipment

  • Defer any non-essential use.
  • Use an early shift configuration where operations stop at noon, before the heat of the day and the peak wildfire-burning period.
  • Establish “Active Monitoring” practices – once you have completed operations with heavy equipment, stay in place and watch for sparks, flames or smoke for at least 30 minutes. This will help you make sure that any activities didn’t spark a wildfire.

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.

Reminder for the public to stay away from operations. We realize there are many videographers that want to get as close as possible but they are putting themselves in danger and preventing firefighters from actioning the wildfire. Use of drones around a wildfire is prohibited. When you fly a drone near or over an Alberta wildfire, you're breaking the law and endangering firefighters. Learn more at: www.tc.gc.ca/SafetyFirst.

Any residents of Fort McMurray who have questions or concerns can call the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo at 780-743-7000.

For updates on air quality visit www.weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/abaq-004_e.html or call Alberta Health Link at 811.

Ensure your campfire is out Soak it, Stir it, Soak it Again.

 

Fire permits are suspended

Agriculture and Forestry office - 780-743-7125

firepermits.alberta.ca - Toll Free: 310-0000

We are looking forward to a safe wildfire season!

For more information contact:

Lynn Daina, Area Information Coordinator

780-743-7265 lynn.daina@gov.ab.ca 

 

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