Peace River Area Update

2015 Wildfire Season starts March 1 - Fire Permits Now Available

Posted on Wed, Mar 18, 2015

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CHECK AND RECHECK FOR WINTER HOLDOVERS

Deep layers of organic soils are common throughout the peace region. This organic material may ignite under debris piles and smolder during the winter months, and may spread rapidly when dry grasses are available to carry them on spring days.

The 2015 wildfire season began on March 1st.  Check all winter burn sites and ensure they are extinguished. Dig deep in the ashes and check for heat. Apply water until no heat or steam can be felt or seen.

Winter fires can pose a hazard if they become out of control. Please call 310-FIRE if you spot smoke in the forest as it is important that each wildfire is actioned by fire fighting crews and other support as quickly as possible in order to reduce their spread.

Thank you for doing your part to prevent wildfires.

BEFORE YOU BURN IT, GET YOUR PERMIT

Albertans in the forested areas need to get a fire permit for any burning, excluding campfires from MARCH 1 until OCTOBER 31 every year.

  • Fire permits are free and you can get more information or request a fire permit by calling the Peace River ESRD 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 to issue your permit. 

  • Have your site ready according to the burning site guidelines before staff arrive. 

  • ALL permits will be assessed on a site by site basis and may be refused.

WILDFIRE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS DAY!

Earlier this year, FireSmart Canada launched their first ever National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day (NWCPD) campaign, which is scheduled to take place on May 2, 2015.  Up to twenty $500 project funding awards are available to implement neighbourhood projects.  The deadline for applications is March 20th. This opportunity is open to community groups, schools, municipalities, neighborhoods and more so now is your chance!

During Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, communities across Canada are encouraged to participate in local mitigation projects to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and neighbourhoods. Please visit www.firesmartcanada.ca for more information, official rules, project ideas and safety tips and the project application form.

ANNUAL CONTRACTORS GENERAL INFORMATION MEETING

The Peace River Wildfire Management Area will be holding general information meetings for current contractos and all companies interested in signing a Fireline and Mobile Equipment Contract this year.  For more information please click here

GET MORE OF ALBERTA'S WILDFIRE INFORMATION!

Want to see where current wildfires are in Alberta’s forests, read area wildfire updates, chat with us, connect to Alberta Fire Bans or even report a wildfire?

TO REPORT WILDFIRES,
CALL 310-FIRE

Thank you for doing your part to prevent wildfires.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Horne
Wildfire Information Office 
richard.horne@gov.ab.ca
780 886 7788