When the conditions are as dry and hot as the area has been recently, a wildfire will spread quickly and burn very hot, leaving white hot ash in its wake.  Crews must then work their way through the fire completely extinguishing and cooling these "hot spots" so they do not continue burning and cause a wildfire to restart.  This process is known as "mop up" and is the final step towards extinguishing a wildfire.

Fire Advisory

Due to the warm, dry conditions and dry surface fuels, the Peace River Wildfire Management Area has declared a Fire Advisory, effective May 11, 2015.  Caution is recommended. 

Safe campfires are permitted in campgrounds and back country or random camping areas.  Please ensure that your campfire is COMPLETELY extinguished before you leave your site and do not leave it unattended at any time.   

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard is now EXTREME and is not expected to drop as there is no significant relief in the forecast. Residents and visitors to the Peace River Wildfire Management Area are urged to be very cautious with any burning at this time.

Fire fighting crews, air tankers, helicopters and heavy equipment have been strategically placed throughout the Peace River Wildfire Management Area ready to be quickly dispatched to any wildfire starts.  Our wildfire lookouts and aerial patrol crews will be on the look out for any new wildfire starts, but we need your help too.  PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN BURNING OR RECREATING IN THE FOREST AND CALL 310-FIRE TO REPORT WILDFIRES. 

Local Wildfires

There have been 38 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area this fire season, all but three of which have now been extinguished.  PWF 038 was discovered this evening and is currently being held at 0.20 hectares in size.  PWF 030, located east of St Isidore, is now under control at 55 hectares in size and is not expected to spread any further.  The remaining active wildfire in the area has been turned over to the landowner.  

ESRD also assisted with 6 wildfires outside the Forest Protection Area this evening and will continue to do so until our help is no longer required.  

THERE ARE NO STRUCTURES OR OTHER VALUES AT RISK AT THIS TIME.

Over the next couple of days, there will be a risk of more lightning fires popping up as the temperatures increase and the vegetation in the area continues to dry. 

Wildfire Prevention

With the very high fire hazard and dry forest vegetation in the area, many recreational activities have the potential to ignite a wildfire. It is extremely important that extra caution is taken while recreating. Please remember to get a fire permit before you burn, ensure that your campfire is COMPLETELY extinguished before you leave your site and check your ATV for dry debris that may be heating up on the hot parts of your machine.  Most importantly, call 310-FIRE IMMEDIATELY to report a wildfire. In these conditions, it is important to get fire fighting resources to all wildfires as soon as possible.

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