The priorities for wildfires are to protect homes, critical infrastructure, the safety of first responders, and to limit wildfire spread.
HORSE RIVER FIRE UPDATE
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo continue to work on extinguishing smoldering ground fires in the forested areas. Smoke and haze will be visible in the community. Firefighters are working hard to extinguish these areas. Smouldering ground fires do not pose a threat to the community. For your safety and the safety of our firefighters, please stay away from any burned areas and wherever there is active firefighting.
Be cautious of the following in areas of burned forest:
- burned trees, the roots of burned trees are weakened and can fall without any wind
- smoke due to areas of smouldering ground fire and hot spots
- firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft working in the are.
The wildfire experienced minimal growth and is estimated to be 581,695 hectares in size (including SK). Crews and Heavy equipment continued to make steady progress. Over 417 kilometres of dozer guard has been completed.
There are 1,894 wildland firefighters and support staff, 75 helicopters (five heavy helicopters), and 203 pieces of heavy equipment. Planning continues for the arrival of additional firefighters over the next week. There are firefighters from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Parks Canada, Nova Scotia, PEI, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), South Africa, Yukon and the US.
Firefighters and aircraft are pre-positioned and ready to respond to any new wildfires.
SMOKE ISSUES
Conditions will continue to be smokey. If you have health concerns, please contact Alberta Health Link at 811 or visit their website albertahealthservices.ca.
PHASED RE-ENTRY FOR FORT MCMURRAY
A voluntary, phased re-entry for the safe return of Fort McMurray residents is underway. Click here for complete details.
FORECAST
- Approximately 22 degrees, 40 per cent humidity with east/south west winds at 15 kilometres per hour.
- Showers with moderate to high risk of thunderstorms forecasted for most of the province.
FIRE BAN
A fire ban is in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.
Prohibited
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All open fires, including wood campfires, charcoal briquette fires, turkey fryers, and tiki torches
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The use of incendiary targets
Allowed
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Gas or propane stoves/barbeques and portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved and UL certified
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Propane barbeques and stoves
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Catalytic or infrared style heaters
Check albertafirebans.ca for the location of fire bans, restrictions and advisories as well as for more information on what is and is not included in the ban or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE (394-3473).
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE (OHV) RESTRICTION
Recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) is restricted on all public lands and provincial parks, including designated OHV trails. The restriction does not apply to agriculture, public safety, commercial/industrial or Indigenous peoples when exercising a right recognized and affirmed under Part II of the Constitution Act, 1982 or a right under section 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice.
Check emergency.alberta.ca for more information on the OHV restriction.
For more information contact:
Lynn Daina, Wildfire Information Officer 780-743-7265