A fire advisory has been issued for the Peace River Forest Area section of the Forest Protection Area due to forecasted hot and dry conditions. This will result in a steady increase in fire danger levels into next week.  Read below for more details.  Please stay safe and as always, call 310-FIRE to report wildfires.  

Wildfire Update

There have been 56 wildfires in the Peace River Forest area this fire season, all but one of which have been extinguished.  

PWF 055 was discovered in the Hawk Hills area this afternoon and is currently out of control at 0.30 hectares in size.  There are numerous crews and aircraft working to gain control of this fire this afternoon.  

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 average wildfire hazard for tomorrow is HIGH (see our fire danger forecast map)   Winds are expected to be relatively light at 10-15 km/hr.  Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid twenties with a chance of scattered rain and thundershowers passing through over the next 24 hours.  

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 ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT

A Fire Advisory has been issued for the Peace River Forest Area section of the Forest Protection Area due to forecasted hot and dry conditions. This will result in a steady increase in fire danger levels into next week.

 

Under this advisory, all fire permits are still valid. Residents are reminded to adhere to all permit conditions and burn responsibly.

 

Prohibited

• Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire

 

Allowed

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

 

Remember to check the hot spots on your Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and remove debris before and after use.

 

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE. 

 

The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

 

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

 

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