The fire hazard is now HIGH in the Fort McMurray Forest Area. Warmer weather and winds are forecast over the next several days. These conditions will continue to dry out ground fuels such as grass and leaves which can contribute to new starts as well as increased fire activity and smoke. Please do your part to prevent wildfires and respect the fire ban and OHV restrictions.
A fire ban remains in effect for portions of northeastern Alberta and the Fort McMurray Forest Area. The fire ban applies to Alberta’s Forest Protection Area in the Fort McMurray Forest Area and portions of the Lac La Biche Forest Area. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo also has a fire ban in effect that includes the Urban Service Area of Fort McMurray.
Check albertafirebans.ca for the location of fire bans, restrictions and advisories or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE (394-3473).
Prohibited
- All open fires including; wood campfires, charcoal briquette fires, turkey fryers, and tiki torches
- The use of incendiary targets
Allowed
- Gas or propane stoves/barbeques and portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved and UL certified
- Catalytic or infrared style heaters
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.
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, but 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 area
SMOKE ISSUES
Conditions will continue to be smoky in the Forest McMurray Forest Area due to areas of smouldering ground fire which may be aggravated by the warm and dry weather forecasted for the next several days. If you have health concerns, please contact Alberta Health Link at 811 or visit albertahealthservices.ca.
HORSE RIVER FIRE CONNECTION
Wildfire (MWF009) has experienced minimal growth and is estimated to be 581,745 hectares in size (including SK). Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to make steady progress securing approximately 442 kilometres of guard around the perimeter of the fire.
Agriculture and Forestry has 2,161 wildland firefighters and support staff, 80 helicopters, and 217 pieces of heavy equipment working to extinguish this fire. Assisting Alberta Agriculture and Forestry firefighters 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 U.S.
As we continue to see crews transition in and out of the Horse River Wildfire it is important to acknowledge all those who have supported the tremendous firefighting efforts being undertaken. These crews have travelled across Canada and the world to stand side-by-side on the fire line with their fellow wildland firefighters. We are grateful for the national and international relationships that allow for this resource sharing and we thank each and every one of the men and women who have joined Alberta wildland firefighters and all those who will still be joining. Thank you!
Firefighters and aircraft are pre-positioned in the Fort McMurray Forest Area and are ready to respond to any new wildfires.
IF YOU'RE IN THE SKY, WE CAN'T FLY
When you fly a drone or UAV over or near an Alberta wildfire, you’re breaking the law and endangering firefighting personnel and may cause firefighting operations to stop.
Before you fly a drone or UAV, make sure you understand the rules that apply and follow them. Not doing so could cost you up to $25,000 in fines and impact firefighting efforts.
For more information, please visit: tc.gc.ca/SafetyFirst
FORT MCMURRAY RE-ENTRY INFORMATION
A voluntary, phased re-entry for the safe return of Fort McMurray residents is underway. Please check out the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo website for all the details.
For more information contact: Melinda Paplawski, Wildfire Information Officer 780-933-1929