Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - April 12, 2019

Posted on Fri, Apr 12, 2019

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Dry grass and forest vegetation is of real concern this time of year.  Please ensure that you acquire a fire permit before burning, follow the conditions on your fire permit and exercise caution when burning.  As always, please make sure to recreate safely and call 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

   

Posts will be less frequent during the general election period: https://alberta.ca/election.

For assistance, call 310-0000 or send a direct message.

 

FIRE ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT

fire_advisory-resized-600Although snow remains in the backcountry, areas of exposed dry grass around the Peace River area pose a significant wildfire risk. As a result, a Fire Advisory is now in effect for the Peace River Forest Area.

Existing fire permits remain valid (subject to suspension or cancellation). New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.

What is allowed:
Safe wood campfires in campgrounds (within fire rings), backyards, or random camping areas
Charcoal briquettes
Portable propane fire pits
Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

Off-Highway Vehicles can start wildfires – check frequently to ensure hot spots are free of debris, and make sure mufflers and spark arrestors are working properly.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.

The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Soak it with water, stir it up and soak it again. The ashes should be cool to the touch.

 

HAZARD REDUCTION BURNING

hazard reduction burningWeather permitting, and in order to reduce the dry grass fire hazard in the area, firefighters will be conducting hazard reduction burns in the community of Cadotte Lake over the weekend. 

Burning grass in a controlled manner is one of a number of fuel management tools that can be used to reduce the potential for unwanted wildfire, in and around communities and across landscapes.  

 

FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED

 

The 2019 Fire Season started on March 1, 2019.  As of that date, fire permits are required for all burning, with the exception of heating or warming fires, within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.  

Call the Peace River Forest Area office at 780-624-6190 to find out how to obtain your FREE fire permit and to learn more.

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE

 

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.

 

DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT SPRING WILDFIRES

 

Be sure to extinguish your campfires

Soak it with water, stir it up and soak it again. The ashes should be cool to the touch.

 

Recheck your debris piles to ensure they are extinguished

  • STIR IT: spread out the remaining material within the pile using a metal probe, or if necessary, heavy equipment. Dig down into the soil to make sure the fire has not burned down to the root system.
  • SOAK IT: soak the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced by the pile. 
  • STIR IT AGAIN: Roll the debris over. Using your bare hand, feel for heat while looking for steam. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat coming from the ashes.

Learn about brush pile and windrow burning.

 

Check your OHV for debris

PREV_OHV_HotSpots_Ad_7.75x5_CMYK-1Off-highway vehicles can start wildfires and this is especially likely in dry grass conditions.  Check frequently to ensure hot spots such as your exhaust, muffler, under the seat, wheel wells, engine and manifold on your OHV are free of debris, and ensure that your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly. 
 
 
 
 
 
  

  

FIRESMART

You can protect your home from wildfire

Protecting your home from wildfire starts with simple actions. Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.

Learn more at firesmartcanada.ca.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Or contact:

Crystal Burrows 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca