The wildfire hazard for tomorrow is EXTREME. This is being driven by high temperatures, low humidity levels (where temperature equals or is lower than the humidity levels) and strong and gusty winds. Fires that start tomorrow will spread quickly with winds out of the south east at speeds of 30 km/hr gusting to 50 km/hr.
There is a FIRE ADVISORY in place, effective Friday, May 5, 2017. No new permits are being issued for heavy burning (this includes windrows, machine piled brush piles, etc.). Previous burning sites should be checked to ensure extinguishment. Although small cooking or warming fires are still allowed, exercise extreme caution during windy conditions. Check the conditions on existing permits - no burning when winds exceed 15 km/hr. Tomorrow's winds are forecasted to be much higher than allowable for safe burning.
Although we have received precipitation, and there is water lying in some ditches and fields, the danger tomorrow is from potential grass fires. Cured grass in fields and along some roads, railways, pipelines and other open areas is very dry and succeptible to wildfire. Winds tomorrow will spread any wildfires very quickly.
The forecast is for lighting later Friday afternoon or evening, with little accompanying precipitation. This could complicate the potential wildfire situation. On Saturday, after the front passes over our forest area, we can expect lighter winds and some potential precipitation.
Please be cautious in the forest on Friday. Be careful if you are operating an ATV or OHV in the dry grass tomorrow. Call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or fire. It is critical to dispatch resources quickly tomorrow because of the strong winds. Conditions will remain volatile into Saturday until we get a break in the winds and some possible rain.
We didn't have any new fires today. There have been 24 wildfire so far this season in our area. We have 11 crews, 9 helicopters, water trucks and heavy equipment ready to action new fires tomorrow. We will also have an airtanker on hand for the first time this season.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Area Information Co-ordinator
780-623-9758