Peace River Area Update

Evacuations and Closures

• Sign up for the free emergency alert app to get up to the minute alerts and updates on evacuations and other emergencies in the province pushed to your device.  
• Please visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca for a listing of all evacuations currently in effect in Alberta. 
• For information on how you can prepare yourself for the event that an evacuation is necessary, visit www.aema.alberta.ca/72-hour-emergency-kit.

Ole's Lake Provincial Recreation Area  has now been reopened.

Smoke concerns

Smoke is expected to drift into the area for the unforseeable future. 

• If the smoke is bothering you, please consider staying indoors as much as possible.  If you are having difficulties breathing, please call the Healthlink line or visit your local hospital.  
• Please check the smoke forecast daily for expected smoke patterns.

Wildfire Preparation

Firefighters, heavy equipment, aircraft and support resources have all been strategically placed throughout the Peace River Forest Area in preparation for any new wildfire starts.  

Please call 310-FIRE to report wildfires as soon as possible so that these resources can be dispatched expediently.

Active wildfires in the area 

NEW FIRES IN THE AREA:

There were two new wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area today.  PWF 041 and PWF 042 were extinguished at 0.01 hectares in size.

WILDFIRES OF NOTE IN THE AREA:

ABC001 (BC Wildfire # G80068)  This wildfire continues to burn west of the Clearhills area on both sides of the BC/Alberta border. 

• Smoke from this fire will be visible from a significant distance away for the foreseeable future.  
• The wildfire is being continuously monitored by personnel in a helicopter. Our first priority is public safety.  If an evacuation becomes necessary, those affected will be notified by the proper authorities immediately.
• The helicopters, heavy equipment and crews were kept in camp due to the poor weather today, but the weather also prevented the fire from growing.  Tomorrow, efforts will be made to get the dozers and firefighters back onto the fireline.  The fire is now estimated at 22,500 hectares within Alberta. ABC001 map (Alberta side).  
• We continue working with the BC Forest Service to action this wildfire.  For updates on the BC side of this fire, please continue to visit the BC wildfire website.  

UPDATES ON OTHER WILDFIRES: 

(1 ha is 100 metres by 100 metres or approximately the size of 2 football fields)

• PMD 001 is located just west of Whitelaw and remains under control at approximately 250 hectares in size. The fire has been contained and is not expected to spread beyond the current boundaries.  
• PWF 008 remains under control at 12.3 hectares southwest of Dixonville.  
• PWF 024 remains under control at 74 hectares in size west of the Dixonville area (north of the Smith Mills road).  Due to the hard work of our crews and the rain and snow that passed through the area since yesterday, this fire has now been demobilized.

Safety Concerns

Drone and UAV Use 

There have been a number of reports of UAV/drones flying over the fire in the Clearhills area, on both sides of the border.  Air operations had to be temporarily grounded as a result.  

• When you fly a drone or UAV over or near an Alberta wildfire, you’re breaking the law and endangering firefighting personnel and may cause firefighting operations to stop.
• Before you fly your drone or UAV, make sure you understand the rules that apply and follow them. Not doing so could cost you up to $25,000 in fines.
• For more information, please visit: tc.gc.ca/SafetyFirst

For more information

To receive these updates:

Bookmark the Peace River Wildfire Update and check for updates anytime, or subscribe to have it emailed to you. You can also download our app, available for Apple and Android devices.

You can also find us on Facebook,Twitter or Youtube or visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca

Or contact:

Crystal Burrows - Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE