Fort McMurray Area Update

Horse River Wildfire Update June 15, 2016 | Fort McMurray Forest Area

Posted on Wed, Jun 15, 2016

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WILDFIRE UPDATE

In the last 24 hours there was one new wildfire in the Fort McMurray Forest Area - caused by lighting. Thanks to the quick response and hard work of firefighters, it was extinguished at 0.01 hectares in size. The Horse River Wildfire is the only wildfire in the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

HORSE RIVER WILDFIRE UPDATE 

Thanks to the hard work of firefighters and the recent rain fall, the Horse River Wildfire is classified as BEING HELD. Thank you to all the firefighters, support staff and partners that have stood by our side over the last month and a half.

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Image: Firefighters working together on the Horse River Wildfire earlier this week.

As of June 13, the wildfire is classified as BEING HELD. Below is a table that gives the progression of status classification used by Alberta Widfire.

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Table: Source wildfire.alberta.ca

Being held means given the current weather conditions and the number of firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft fighting the Horse River Wildfire, it is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. The wildfire remains estimated at 589,617 hectares in size (including the portion within Saskatchewan) and is currently not threatening any communities.

Agriculture and Forestry has 910 wildland firefighters and support staff, 45 helicopters and 120 pieces of heavy equipment continue to work hard on this wildfire. Assisting Alberta Agriculture and Forestry firefighters are firefighters from Northwest Territories, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) and Mexico.

Here is the most recent map of the wildfire:

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collection_june15.jpgImage: Firefighters working on the Horse River Wildfire. Firefighters have a long road ahead and will continue to work hard towards bringing this wildfire under control. 

 

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Image: Fort McMurray Airtanker Base earlier this morning. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are pre-positioned in the Fort McMurray Forest Area and are ready to respond to any new wildfires. 

For information on the provincial wildfire situation, visit wildfire.alberta.ca.

 

WILDFIRE HAZARD 

The wildfire hazard for the Fort McMurray Forest Area is LOW. The forest remains dry under the surface of the soil. It will only take a few days of warm, dry weather to increase the wildfire hazard. Do your part in preventing wildfires, click on the images below to learn more.

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FIRE PERMITS 

The fire ban for the Fort McMurray Forest Area and the Urban Service Area of Fort McMurray has been lifted.

You now require a fire permit for all burning (except campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of the Fort McMurray Forest Area. This includes: Fort Fitzgerald, Smith Landing, Gregoire Lake Estates, Fort Chipewyan, Anzac, Saprae Creek, Fort Mackay, East Draper Road and First Nations Communities.

Note: fire permits, including those for campfires, are required year-round within the Urban Service Area of Fort McMurray. These permits are issued by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Who should you contact for a fire permit?

                         Inside the Urban Service Area contact:
                         Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo 780-792-5519

                         Outside the Urban Service Area contact:
                         Agriculture and Forestry at 780-743-7125

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EXPECT TO SEE SMOKE IN THE AIR

There is the potential for smoke to emerge within the existing boundaries of the Horse River Wildfire. Smouldering ground fires can produce smoke - creating smoke columns that are visible from the city and surrounding areas. Firefighters are constantly monitoring the situation and are actively extinguishing any wildfires that emerge. These smouldering ground fires do not pose any risk to the city of Fort McMurray. For questions or concerns please call the PULSE line at 780-743-7000.  

If you have health concerns related to smoke inhalation from a wildfire, contact Alberta Health Link at by dialing 811 or visit albertahealthservices.ca.

  

FOR YOUR SAFETY, DO NOT ENTER BURNED AREAS

For your safety and the safety of firefighters, do not enter areas that have been burned or where firefighters are working. Keep safe by avoiding:

      • Burned trees - the root systems are weakened and can fall without any wind.
      • Smouldering ground fire and hot spots - these are not safe to walk near.
      • Firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft working in burned areas - they need room to safely do their work.

  

DRONES AND UAVs DON'T HELP WITH PUTTING OUT A WILDFIRE

When you fly a drone or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) over or near an Alberta wildfire, you’re breaking the law and endangering firefighting personnel - it may even cause firefighting operations to stop.

Before you fly a drone or UAV, understand what is prohibited - not doing so could cost you up to $25,000 in fines. For more information, visit: tc.gc.ca/SafetyFirst or there is a printable PDF here.

 

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FORT MCMURRAY RE-ENTRY INFORMATION

For information on the voluntary, phased re-entry please see the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s website: www.RMWB.ca.

  

INFORMATION ON BEAR AWARENESS

For information about the Alberta BearSmart program, visit Alberta BearSmart or a printable manual is also available. Any bear concerns can be reported to the 24-hour Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.

 

Unless conditions change, your next update will be on June 17, 2016.

Lynn Daina
Wildfire Information Officer
mobile: 780-799-9253

  
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