WILDFIRE HAZARD
The wildfire hazard is EXTREME for the High Level Wildfire Management Area (HLWMA) and will remain EXTREME until the area receives a significant amount of rain. The HLWMA is urging Albertans to use extra caution while in the forested areas and respect the fire restriction. Areas of dead, dry grass are extremely flammable and under windy conditions a fire will spread very quickly.
Prolonged hot and dry conditions in the High Level Wildfire Management Area have prompted Environment and Sustainable Resource Development to restrict the use of fire in the forest protection area. A fire restriction is now in effect for the High Level Wildfire Management Area as of 12:00 pm May 21, 2015.
- All burning permits will now be suspended and no new fire permits will be issued until the restriction is lifted.
- Safe campfires are currently allowed in a fire ring in campgrounds only. As well as portable propane fire pits, gas or propane stoves and barbeques (not charcoal briquettes) designed for cooking or heating.
- No campfires (or other open fires) or charcoal briquettes are allowed in backcountry or random camping areas.
Please check alberta fire bans.ca for more information or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE.
WILDFIRE REPORT FOR MAY 21, 2015
In the last 24 hours the High Level Wildfire Management Area has had two new wildfires.
One wildfire is located in the community of Fox Lake and is 1.5 hectares in size. This wildfire is currently being held. Firefighters, airtankers, and helicopters with water buckets are working to extinguish this wildfire.
The second wildfire is located 9km west of highway 697 near the Buffalo Head Hills area. This wildfire is .01 hectares in size and has been extinguished.
Alberta currently has 18 wildfires. One is out of control, two are being held, 12 are under control and three have been turned over to the responsible party. Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 574 wildfires that have burned a total of 2285 hectares.
If you have any health concerns related to the smoke from these wildfires, please call Health Link Alberta: Toll-free: 1-866-408-5465 (LINK).
SOAK IT, STIR IT, SOAK IT AGIN
Fire restrictions help prevent wildfires caused by campfires but, unfortunately, don’t prevent against other wildfires caused by power lines, lightning, or off-highway vehicles. It is extremely important for Albertans to respect the restriction and help reduce human-caused wildfires by cleaning off your off-highway vehicle and extinguishing your campfire.
Safe campfires are currently allowed in a fire ring in campgrounds ONLY. Please ensure you have adequate water nearby, such as a water bucket. To ensure a campfire is properly extinguished SOAK IT, STIR IT and SOAK IT AGAIN!!!
FIRE PERMITS
Due to the Fire Restriction, all existing permits have been suspended, and no new permits will be issued until the fire restriction is lifted.
TO REPORT A WILDFIRE CALL 310-FIRE (3473)
Victoria Ostendorf - Wildfire Information Officer
High Level Wildfire Management Area
O: 780-926-5401
C: 780-841-9387
victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca