Wildfire Update

There have been 72 wildfires in the Peace River Forest area this fire season, all but one of which have been extinguished. 

PWF 068 is now under control at 202 hectares in size north of Bison Lake.  Aircraft and firefighters are continuing to work towards extinguishing this fire today.

For information on wildfires around the province, download our free Alberta Wildfire app, subscribe to our updates or visit our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca.

Call 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard is now HIGH.  Temperatures are expected to be in the mid twenties today with a small chance of rain and showers passing through over the next 24 hours.  Winds are expected to blow in from the west at 20 km/hr with gusts up to 35 km/hr today.

Crews, aircraft and heavy equipment have been placed strategically throughout the Peace River Forest Area in order to be as close as possible to any new wildfire starts.  

Lightning season has begun and the potential for multiple fires starting in one day has increased.  

Please supervise all fires and completely extinguish them before leaving the site and as always, help us get to wildfires quickly by calling 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

There are no fire advisories or restrictions in place for the Peace River Forest Area at this time.

 

For information on advisories, restrictions, fire bans and forest closures within Alberta, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca.

 

Smoke Concerns

Smoke from the wildfires in British Columbia is expected to continue to affect the Peace River Forest Area.  

When an air quality advisory is in effect, all individuals living in or travelling within the affected area are advised to be aware of potential health concerns that can be associated with poor air quality conditions, and take precautions to reduce exposure and risk. 

Individuals experiencing symptoms can also call Health Link at 811 to speak to a registered nurse.

Information about the air quality in many areas of Alberta is updated regularly on the Alberta Environment and Parks Website at www.airquality.alberta.ca . For a smoke forecast map visit the BlueSky Canada website.  Air quality information is also available by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-247-7333.

 

Help prevent wildfires

A campfire left smouldering can cause a wildfire. Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's been completely extinguished before you leave your site. make sure your campfire is out.

Your off-highway vehicle can start a wildfire. Check your off-highway vehicle frequently for any smouldering debris. Grass, muskeg, moss or other debris can drop to the ground as you're riding and spark a wildfire. ride debris free.

 

Before you burn it, get your permit

As of March 1st, all burning activities in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, now 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.

 

Changes to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act 

In fall of last year, we passed legislation to enhance wildfire prevention, to deter risky behaviour and give wildland firefighters more tools to keep Albertans and their communities safe.

• new penalties for violations such as abandoning campfires or burning during fire bans,
• and improving government’s ability to restrict higher risk activities, like fireworks and incendiary targets.

Penalties will be determined by a statutory decision-maker on a case-by-case basis.

Please visit our website for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION