A wildfire was discovered in the Notikewin area at approximately 2 pm this afternoon and it has since grown to 250 hectares in size.  Airtankers, helicopters, crews and heavy equipment have all worked on the fire throughout the day and will continue to do so tomorrow.         

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard in the area is now EXTREME.  Lightning is expected to pass through the area once again tomorrow which will create the opportunity for numerous wildfire starts over the next couple of days. As the cold front passes through, the winds will prevail from the SW 20 km/hr gusting to 35 km/hr.  The temperatures are expected to reach nearly 30 degrees Celsius.

Please help our firefighters action 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 129 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area this fire season, all but 6 of which have been extinguished.  

Active wildfires in the area current as of 8 pm on July 1 (changes have been bolded): 

• PWF 052  is under control at 1202.80 hectares and surrounded by dozer guard  
• PWF 054 is under control at 36.60 hectares
• PWF 116 is now being held at 5.60 hectares northeast of the Notikewin Provincial Park
  
• PWF 120 has been extinguished at 0.01 hectares in the Clearhills area.
• PWF 121 has been extinguished at 0.01 hectares 
• PWF 122 has been extinguished at 0.01 hectares
• PWF 123 has be extinguished at 0.01 hectares
• PWF 124 has been extinguished at 0.01 hectares
• PWF 125 is under control at 0.01 hectares in the Kimiwan area
• PWF 126 has been extinguished at 0.20 hectares
• PWF 127 is under control at 0.20 hectares in the Kimiwan area
• PWF 128 has been extinguished at 0.10 hectares
• PWF 129 is out of control at 250 hectares in the Notikewin area (northwest of Sulphur lake). There were 8 helicopters, 4 firefighting crews working and an airtanker group on the wildfire today.   There will be 5 dozer groups working through the night to build dozer guard around the perimeter of the fire.  

The wildfire located just on the BC side of the Alberta/British Columbia border in the Fontas area is now 8318 hectares in size and while it has gotten closer to Alberta, it has yet to cross over the border.    

There have been a number of lightning fires already this year and it is still early in the lightning season. Often, there are multiple wildfire starts in one day as storm cells pass through.  Please help our firefighters get to these fires while they are small by calling 310-FIRE.

Please click the link for an explanation of wildfire statuses.

Provincial Wildfires

There are 115 wildfires currently burning, 48 of which remain out of control as of 8 pm on July 1.  

The 2015 fire season has been busier than average for the province with 1234 fires and 240,507 hectares burned thus far.  This time last year, there had been 703 wildfires with a total of 1849 hectares burned.

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  or 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