Peace River Area Update

In an effort to control the many wildfires burning in the province, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry requested support from our many partner agencies around Canada and the world.  Many have answered the call including our fire fighting brothers from down under.  Earlier this week, 47 Australian fire fighters arrived in the province, four of which came to help out in the Peace Country.  More fire fighters are expected to arrive in the area in the coming days.  

Wildfire Hazard

While rain did pass through parts of the area today, many areas were missed.  The average wildfire hazard level for the Peace River Wildfire Management Area is now HIGH. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid twenties tomorrow with strong winds gusting up to 50 km/hr. 

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue, resulting in an increased risk of lightning caused wildfires. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473). Despite the recent rainfall, the surface vegetation and trees remain flammable. 

Wildfire Danger Notice

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.  Please remember that burning is not permitted if winds exceed 12 km/hr and winds are expected to gust up to 50 km/hr tomorrow.

Visit www.albertafirebans.ca for the latest fire ban information across the province. 

Concerned About Smoke?

Anyone with health concerns regarding the smoke should check the Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24/7 health advice from Alberta Health Link.

For a smoke forecast map, please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.

Local Wildfires

There have been 153 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area this fire season, all but 10 of which have been extinguished.  There was one  new wildfire in the area today.

Active wildfires in the area current as of 6 pm on July 17 (changes have been italicized): 

• PWF 052 is under control at 1202.00 hectares in the Hotchkiss area.
• PWF 116 is under control at 5.40 hectares northeast of the Notikewin Provincial Park.
• PWF 130 is under control at 1.0 hectare in size in the Hawk Hills area.
• PWF 134 is under control at 0.5 hectares in size west of the Clearhills area.
• PWF 135 is under control at 6.0 hectares in size west of the Clearhills area.
• PWF 137 is under control at 3.40 hectares north of the Hines Creek area.
• PWF 151 is now being held at 9.00 hectares in the Bison Lake area.
• PWF 152 was discovered this afternoon and has been extinguished at 0.02 hectares in size in the Bison Lake area.

NOTIKEWIN COMPLEX

Please continue to respect the restrictions to access that have been put in place for your safety and the safety of our fire fighters.

• PWF 129
  • is under control at 538 hectares 
  • in the Notikewin area (approximately 15 kms northwest of Sulphur lake).
  • A dozer guard has been completed around the entire perimeter of the fire.  Crews worked on seeking out hot areas and extinguishing them today and will continue tomorrow.
• PWF 131
  • 3,006 hectares in size and remains out of control.
• • This fire is located approximately 10 kms west of Sulphur Lake and 15 kms northwest of Stony Lake. 
  • Firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters continued their work towards containing this wildfire today and will continue to do so tomorrow.  Both the east and west sides of the fire were active today with numerous hotspots and it crossed over the dozer guard in a few places but was quickly contained 
• *In order to ensure the safety of the public and our firefighters, access onto the Notikewin Tower Road, the Canfor Road, the DMI P2 200 and the Silver Creek Road along with both Stony and Sulphur Lake, will be limited to necessary personnel only until further notice.  Please do NOT go into the area for any reason without first calling 780-618-6215.*
• NOTIKEWIN COMPLEX MAP UPDATED JULY 12

PBZ002 (FONTAS FIRE):

• PBZ002
  • This wildfire started in British Columbia and has made its way over the Alberta/British Columbia border in the Fontas area.  
  • Approximately 2926 hectares of this fire are now burning within Alberta. 
  • The fire was very quiet again today as crews continued to patrol this fire today.
    
• PBZ002 MAP UPDATED JULY 10

Provincial Wildfires

There are 90 wildfires currently burning in the province, 10 of which remain out of control as of 6 pm on July 17.  

The 2015 fire season has been busier than average for the province with 1,445 fires and 489,918.50 hectares burned thus far.  

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