Firefighters worked through the night to contain PMD 001 and things were looking much better by noon today.

FIRE ADVISORY - HIGH FIRE HAZARD - CAUTION ADVISED  

Due to the forecasted weather for the next few days, the fire hazard has now risen to high and a FIRE ADVISORY has been issued for the area. While temperatures are expected to be lower, winds around 30 km/hr gusting up to 55 km/hr are expected again this afternoon and tonight.  With dry grasses and leaves everywhere, the forest is in prime condition to burn readily.  Extra caution is recommended until the temperatures drop, more rain falls in the area and the trees, shrubs and grasses begin to green up.

Active wildfires in the area

There were seven new wildfires in the Peace area last night;  

PMD001 is located just west of Whitelaw and is currently out of control at approximately 250 hectares in size.  Peace Forestry and Municipal firefighters and heavy equipment worked together through the night to attempt to gain control of this fire and continued their efforts throughout the day with the addition of air tanker and helicopter support.  The dozer guard has now been completed and the fire behavior has been considerably calmer so far today.   PMD001 map   

PWF 013 is located just southeast of the Figure 8 Lake Provincial Recreation Area.  Peace Forestry equipment and firefighters worked along with County of Northern Lights firefighters overnight and throughout the day today.  Thanks to their hard work, this fire is now being held at 120 hectares and given current conditions is not expected to grow signficantly beyond its current boundaries.   PWF 013 map

PWF 009 is under control at 0.20 hectares north of the Leddy Lake area.

PWF 010 has been turned over at 3.0 hectares east of Manning.

PWF 011 has been turned over at 1.00 hectares east of Notikewin Provincial Park.

PWF 012 has been turned over at 0.02 hectares east of Manning.

PCU001 is located in the Manning area and is 4 hectares in size.

Be sure to extinguish your campfires

All campfires should be burned within a fire pit ring with a non-flammable material such as clean sand underneath.  Ensure that there is no dry grass or other flammable material around the ring.

Be sure to completely extinguish your campfire before leaving it unattended.  Soak it with water, stir it and soak it again. Repeat this process until the ashes are cool to the touch.  

Keep your OHV clean

The hot areas on your OHV can collect dried grasses and other debris and start a wildfire.  Please clean your quad regularly throughout the day and carry a bucket with you to help in the event of a starting a wildfire.  Stop frequently and check behind you for hot spots.  If you start a fire with your OHV, call 310-FIRE immediately.

Double check your winter brush piles

In these dry conditions, strong winds can cause previously docile brush piles to become active again. When checking your brushpiles, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. Use your bare hand to feel for heat over the ash piles. If you see smoke or feel any heat, the fire is still burning beneath the surface. Douse any remaining hot spots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not completely extinguished until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes.

Before you burn it, get your permit

Beginning March 1st, all burning activities in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, require a fire permit. Fire permits are free and available at your local Agriculture and Forestry office.  You can call 780-624-6190 for more information or to obtain you free fire permit. Due to the dry grass hazard, some burn permits may be denied until the area receives some precipitation.

While new permits for burn piles and/or windrows will be postponed until the hazard levels improve, please continue to call in as it will give staff the opportunity to inspect your site and ensure that you are fully prepared for when you will be allowed to burn again.

For more information contact:

Crystal Burrows - Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca