The wildfire hazard remains EXTREME.  Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters continue to make good progress on the active wildfires in the Peace area.  Please help prevent new starts by continuing to be EXTREMELY careful and call 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

FIRE ADVISORY - EXTREME FIRE HAZARD - CAUTION ADVISED  

The FIRE ADVISORY remains in effect for the area. With the accumulation of dry grasses and leaves, the forest is in prime condition to burn readily and fire will spread quickly.  Extra caution is recommended until the temperatures drop significantly, adequate rain falls in the area and the trees, shrubs, and grasses green up completely.  Very warm temperatures, low relative humidities and crossover conditions have been forecasted for the coming days so the hazard levels are expected to continue to worsen.  

Many municipalities in the area have firebans or advisories in place.  For more information on these and other advisories, restrictions and fire bans in the province, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca and check municipality websites for updates.

Crews, 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

There have been no new fires in the Peace River Forest Area yet today (as of 8 pm). 

ABC001 (BC Wildfire # G80068)  We have been monitoring a wildfire that is burning west of the Clearhills area on the British Columbia side of the border. It is currently 7 miles away from the BC/Alberta border and the smoke is visible from a significant distance away.  Please visit the BC Forest Service website for updates.

SWF 030 is a large fire located approximately 45 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek.  This fire is currently out of control and the smoke for this fire is visible on the east side of the Peace Area. Go to the Slave Lake Wildfire Update for more information.

PMD001 is located just west of Whitelaw and is now UNDER CONTROL at approximately 250 hectares in size. The fire has been contained and is not expected to spread beyond the current boundaries.  Crews continue to work on this fire and it will be scanned for hotspots in the morning.

PWF 008 is under control at 12.3 hectares southwest of Dixonville.

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

PWF 013 is located just southeast of the Figure 8 Lake Provincial Recreation Area and has been extinguished at 99.4 hectares in size.

PWF 019 has been turned over at 0.10 hectares in the Weberville area. 

PWF 022 is under control at 1.40 hectares north of the Weberville area.

PWF 023 has been turned over at 0.10 hectares in the St Isidore area. 

PWF 024 is being held at 107 hectares west of the Dixonville area (north of the Smith Mills road). Two dozer groups, numerous crews and helicopters and other support staff have been working all day to gain control of this wildfire.  The fire has now been entirely surrounded by dozer guard and the fire behavior has calmed down substantially.   

Completely 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 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 your 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 conditions are more favorable.

Please check the weather forecast before burning.

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 onFacebook,Twitter orYoutube or visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca

Or contact:

Crystal Burrows - Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca