Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - August 17, 2018

Posted on Fri, Aug 17, 2018

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FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

A Fire Advisory has been issued for the Peace River Forest Area due to increasingly hot and dry conditions.


Fire permits will be considered 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 hotspots 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.

For more information on this and other fire advisories, restrictions and fire bans within the province, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca or download the new Alberta Firebans App available for Android and Apple devices.
 

WILDFIRE DANGER

The fire danger level in the Peace River Forest Area is now VERY HGH

Firefighters, helicopters, air tankers and heavy equipment groups have been strategically placed around the area in preparation for any new wildfire starts.

WEATHER

  • Temperatures are expected to be in the high teens with 35-45% relative humidity and stronger winds tomorrow afternoon, gusting up to 40 km/hr.  Please ensure you are burning within the wind conditions on your fire permit.  
  • No rainfall has been forecasted for the area over the next 24 hours.
  • Check our wildfire weather forecast for more details (MA=west side of the Peace River, RE= the east side).

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE (current as of 7 pm on August 17)

The Peace River Forest Area has recorded 106 wildfires with a total of 5,333.44 hectares burned since wildfire season began March 1, 2018.  There are currently 5 active wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area.

  • PWF 47 remains under control at 3,992 hectares in size 20 kms west of Hotchkiss.
  • PWF 97 is under control at 12.7 hectares in size east of the Paddle Prairie Area on the east side of the river.

NEW FIRE STARTS:

  • PWF 104 is being held at 0.01 hectares in size in the Doig area.
  • PWF 105 is being held in the Doig area at 0.10 hectares in size.
  • PWF 106 is out of control at 0.01 hectares in size in the Bison Lake area. 

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WILDFIRE SAFETY MESSAGES

  • For your safety and the safety of firefighters, please stay clear of wildfire operations especially when aircraft are flying in the area. We appreciate your support.  
  • Anyone with smoke related health concerns should check the Alberta Health Services  website or call 811 for 24/7 health advice from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map use  Western Canada Smoke.

For more information on the location of wildfires in the province including status definitions, please visit our wildfire status map. 

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

 

DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT WILDFIRES 

Before you burn it, get a permit

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 please burn safely within the conditions on your permit.  

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.

Keep your OHV debris free

Grass, twigs, leaves and mud can build up in the hotspots, heat up, drop off and start a wildfire. Remember to clean your machine before, during and after your ride.

Call 310-FIRE to report wildfires. 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Or contact:

Crystal Burrows 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca