The High Level Forest Area is at a Very High fire hazard, due to hot temperatures and no significant rainfall in the forecast. Please do your part and ensure all fires are extinguished. Remember to soak it, stir the ashes and soak it again. Be safe and have water nearby.
FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT MAY 23, 2017
Due to expected warmer temperatures and no significant rainfall in the forecast a Fire Advisory is in place for the High Level Forest Area.
- No new permits will be issued at this time with the exception of burn barrels and smudges
- Light flashy fuels such as dry grass will ignite easily and spread quickly. Use extreme caution if burning over the next couple days and have a water source nearby.
- Small campfires are allowed. Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.
Additional permits may be issued subject to Fire Guardian or Forest Officer discretion.
The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.
WILDFIRE UPDATE MAY 23, 2017 AT 2:00PM
There are no wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. There have been 83 wildfires since April 1, 2017. Find the wildfire location and status map, here. Please report a wildfire by calling 310-FIRE.
For more information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca
DID YOU BURN THIS WINTER?
There have been several fires in the High Level Forest Area due to winter burns that were not properly extinguished. Please re-check any burn sites that you may have from the winter to ensure they are cold to the touch.
- Stir the debris, check for any hot spots, if you find one, soak it, stir it, and soak it again.
- Know that these hot spots may be underground, using a metal probe, insert it into the ground, pull it out and check for heat.
- The site is completely extinguished when there is no heat or smoke coming from it.
Fall or winter burns can move underground and burn silently until spring conditions allow it to come back to life. This will prevent the burn from flaring up in the spring, becoming a spring wildfire.
FIRE PERMITS
Fire permits are now required for all burning (except for campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. New penalties now exist for failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer, read more here.
Fire permits allow our wildfire personnel to know where planned burns are taking place so firefighters are free to fight new wildfires. To obtain your free fire permit please call 780-926-5407. Leave us a message with the following info; name, daytime phone number, location of burn, and what you want to burn.
CHANGES TO THE FOREST AND PRAIRIE PROTECTION ACT
Enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act (FPPA) regulations include:
- New penalties for infractions such as leaving a campfire unattended or burning without a permit
- Restrictions on the use of fireworks or exploding targets in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta without written permission from a forest officer
- Improvements to flammable debris disposal and other industry-based requirements
- Activities that interfere with the fighting of a wildfire, such as the unauthorized use of drones near a wildfire, are considered more severe offences and will result in an automatic court appearance.
Individuals who knowingly violate the Forest and Prairie Protection Act by starting a wildfire can be fined up to $100,000 or face imprisonment for up to two years.
Industrial users who knowingly contravene the Act and start a wildfire can be fined up to $1 million.
See the full announcement or learn more here.
Victoria Ostendorf
Wildfire Information Officer
High Level Forest Area
Mobile: (780)841-9387
Email: victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca
Stay current on Alberta's wildfire situation; download the Alberta Wildfire mobile app for Android or Apple products. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
