Peace River Area Update

Hot equipment starts wildfire west of Cleardale

Posted on Thu, Jul 30, 2015

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crew_drop_off2The average wildfire hazard level for the Peace River Wildfire Management Area is now HIGH. Temperatures are expected to be in the low twenties tomorrow (Friday) with 20 km/hr winds from the west. No rain is expected for the next 24 hours. 

While fire permits are being issued, please check your fire permit to ensure you are burning safely and within your permit conditions. When winds are over 20 km/hr burning is not permitted. Wind can pick up small sparks and carry them several kilometers away, potentially starting wildfires in dry areas.

There have been 161 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area this fire season, all but five have been extinguished. In the past 24 hours, one new wildfire start west of the Cleardale area. This fire was started by hot heavy equipment, take time to stop often to check how hot your equipment is getting.  Carrying a fire extinguisher can limit damage to expensive equipment heavy equipment and prevent wildfires.  

 

NOTIKEWIN COMPLEX

PWF 129 is located in the Notikewin area (approximately 15 kms northwest of Sulphur lake). This fire is listed as under control at 419.50 hectares 

PWF 131 is located approximately 10 kms west of Sulphur Lake and 15 kms northwest of Stony Lake. This fire is 3,167 hectares in size and listed as being held. Numerous firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters will continue to work towards containing this wildfire. 

 

  • The wildfire burning in the Hotchkiss area PWF 052  remains under control at 1202 hectares.
  • The wildfire burning west of the Clearhills area PWF 135 remains under  control at  6.0 hectares.
  • The wildfire burning in the Fontas area PBZ 002, started in British Columbia and has made its way over the Alberta/British Columbia border. Currently this fire continues to burn into Alberta and is 3000 hectares in size. 

Please visit our wildfire status map on our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App for more information on wildfires throughout the province.

 

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Thank You to our Assisting Agencies

There are trained wildland firefighters from all over the world assisting Alberta. Today Mexican firefighters arrived to the Notikenwin Complex to work alongside our Alberta firefighters. Tommorow firefighters from New Zealand will arrive to help as well. This is a great example of the resource sharing agreements in place between our assisting agencies. 

 

For more Information contact:

Kelly Burke 
Wildfire Information Officer  
780-832-7235