Smoke drifting into Alberta
Smoke from wildfires burning in Northwest Territories is drifting into the Fort McMurray area. Anyone with health concerns should check the Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24/7 health advise from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map,visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.
With no appreciable precipitation, the wildfire danger is VERY HIGH in the Fort McMurray forest area. A cold front is coming down from the north and may produce lightning and associated showers over the next few days. Firefighting resources are in place.
There are currently three active wildfires, all are under control. Two have been caused by lightning and one is under investigation.
For information on the provincial wildfire situation, visit wildfire.alberta.ca
HORSE RIVER WILDFIRE UPDATE (MWF-009)
As of July 4, the wildfire is classified as UNDER CONTROL. The wildfire is completely contained and will be extinguished. The scanning continues for hot spots and as they are identified, they are actioned by wildland firefighters.
Table: Source wildfire.alberta.ca
The wildfire remains estimated at 589,552 hectares in size (including the portion within Saskatchewan).
For information on the provincial wildfire situation, visit wildfire.alberta.ca
FOR YOUR SAFETY DO NOT ENTER BURNED AREAS
For your safety do not enter areas that have been burned. Keep safe by avoiding:
- Burned trees - the root systems are weakened and can fall without any wind. gusting winds will cause trees to fall easily. Stay away from burned areas.
- 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.
You 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.
CONTACTS
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
Off-highway vehicle (OHV) exhaust is extremely hot, reaching temperatures of 204 Celsius, the flash point for most forest fuels. When riders travel through wet areas, muskeg can build up on the exhaust and next to the engine. As the rider travels, the muskeg dries out and is ignited by the hot engine. These burning pieces of muskeg fall off into dry grass causing a wildfire.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfires.
Lynn Daina
Wildfire Information Officer
Fort McMurray Forest Area
office: 780-743-7265 | mobile: 780-799-9253