All of the new wildfire starts in the province kept our airtanker groups busy last night.  All eight airtanker groups are prepared to help control any new wildfires in Alberta today.  For more information on Alberta's airtanker program, please visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca.

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard in the area is now VERY HIGH.  Lightning showers are expected to pass through the area again today and combined with all of the lightning that has passed through throughout the week, additional lightning fires are a definite possibility in the coming days.  

As these thunder showers pass, they can cause the winds to become strong, gusty and sporadic, resulting in faster spread rates and more volatile fire behavior. Please help our firefighters action these wildfires quickly by contacting us immediately at 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

Fire Advisory Information

The Peace River Wildfire Management Area has declared a Fire Advisory effective at noon on June 26, 2015.

Campfires
Safe campfires are permitted in campgrounds and back country or random camping areas. 

Fire Permits
Fire permits are not suspended at this time, but may be in the future if the wildfire hazard continues to climb. Fire permits will be issued on a site by site basis and may be refused until conditions are more favorable. 

Weather Advisory
Lightning storms along with strong, gusting winds are expected for the weekend. Strong winds can cause extreme fire behaviour and allow fires to grow rapidly, while lightning can ignite multiple wildfires. Residents and visitors to the Peace River Wildfire Management Area are urged to be extra cautious with any burning at this time and call 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

Contact 1-866-FYI-FIRE with questions.

Please make a habit of visiting www.albertafirebans.ca to ensure that there is no fire ban or restriction in your area before burning.

Local Wildfires

There have been 110 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area this fire season, all but 12 of which have been extinguished.  Thanks to the hard work of our fire fighters, none of these active wildfires are out of control at this time.  

Active wildfires in the area current as of 2 pm on June 26: 

• • PWF 052  is under control at 1202.80 hectares and surrounded by dozer guard  
  • PWF 054 is under control at 36.60 hectares
  • PWF 088 is under control at 26.68 hectares in size in the Bison Lake area.  The fire has been completely surrounded by dozer guard and is not expected to expand beyond its current boundaries
  • PWF 100 is under control at 1.70 hectares in size in the Carcajou area
  • PWF 102 is under control at 0.20 hectares 38 kms northeast of Worsley
  • PWF 103 and PWF 104 are being held at 0.10 hectares in the Fontas area
  • PWF 105 is being held at .01 hectares 32 kms west of Kemp River
  • PWF 106 is being held at 10.10 hectares 43 kms northwest of Manning
  • PWF 107 is being held at 2.0 hectares 26 kms west of Twin Lakes
  • PWF 108 is being held at 1.00 hectare 10 kms northwest of Hamburg
  • PWF 109 is being held at 0.50 hectares 12 kms northwest of Hamburg
  • PWF 110 is under control at 0.30 hectares 14 kms southeast of Deadwood 

Please click the link for an explanation of wildfire statuses.

Provincial Wildfires

There are 115 wildfires currently burning, 34 of which remain out of control as of 2 pm on June 26.  

The 2015 fire season has been busier than average for the province with 1068 fires and 93, 533 hectares burned thus far.  To put that in perspective, this time last year, there had been 577 wildfires and 1,793 hectares burned in the 2014 season.    

Please visit our wildfire status map on our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App for more information on what is happening throughout the province.

Fire Permits

BEFORE YOU BURN IT, GET YOUR PERMIT

Albertans in the forested areas need to get a fire permit for any burning, excluding campfires.

• Fire permits are free and you can get more information or request a fire permit by calling our Peace River office at 780-624-6190.
• Please call a week in advance of when you would like to burn in order to give our staff time to make arrangements to come out to your site and issue your permit.
• In order to further ease the process, please have your site ready according to the burning site guidelines. before staff arrive.
• All permits must be completely extinguished before they expire, so if you need an extention, please make sure to call in for one well before your permit expires.

Wildfire Prevention

Please click on the links below for more information on how YOU can prevent wildfires.

• get a fire permit before you burn
• ensure that your campfire is COMPLETELY extinguished before you leave your site
• check your ATV for dry debris that may be heating up on the hot parts of your machine.  

For More Information

• Visit us on Facebook, Twitter or download our Alberta Wildfire App for android and apple products
• Up-to-date information fire restrictions and fire bans is available by calling 1-866-FYI-FIRE (1-866-394-3473).
• Current wildfire information
• Fire ban information
• Fire ban system