Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - June 1, 2018

Posted on Fri, Jun 01, 2018

green_grassesScattered showers are expected in the area today.  Please keep in mind the fire hazard will remain high in areas that do not receive rainfall.

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FIRE ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT

A Fire Advisory has been issued for the Peace River Forest Area due to continued dry conditions.
 
Although the fire ban has been lifted, there are still very dry areas within the Peace River Forest Area. Please continue to be diligent with your campfire and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use.
 
Previous burning sites should be checked to ensure they are fully extinguished. No new fire permits will be issued for all non-essential burning.
 
 
 
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
 
Be mindful when operating quads in dry, grassy areas. Stop frequently and clear machine hotspots of grass and other debris that can heat up, fall to the ground, and start a wildfire.
 
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.
 
Please note:  This advisory is for the Forest Protection Area only.  Some municipalities in the area may have a restriction or fireban in place. 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!

AW-FireBan App Call to action FB-FINALDownload the new Alberta fire ban app, available for Android and Apple devices, to make planning your next outdoor adventure a breeze!

Features include:

  • Push notification settings for specific geographic areas.
  • Three distinct categories - fire bans, restrictions and advisories.
  • Up-to-date data sourced directly from provincial fire authorities.
  • Provides data from last time opened even without data or WiFi.
 
 

WILDFIRE UPDATE (current as of 11 am on June 1)

Due to the recent rainfall, the wildfire danger level had dropped to MODERATE in the Peace River Forest Area. 

Today's temperatures are expected to be in the mid teens, and the relative humidity is expected to be 50%.  Winds are expected to blow in from the southeast at 15 km/hrScattered showers are expected to pass through the area again tooday.  Check our wildfire weather forecast for more details (MA=west side of the Peace River, RE= the east side).

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

 

There are currently 2 active wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area.

  • PWF 34 is located west of the Hamburg area and is now under control at 1,168.00 hectares in size.  
  • PWF 47
    • This fire remains out of control at 3,992.64 hectares in size 20 kms west of Hotchkiss.  Due to the overcast weather and cooler temperatures yesterday, the fire behavior was fairly quiet. There were numerous heavy equipment groups working on building dozer guard on the fire and they were able to get the dozer guard 85% completed yesterday.  Heavy equipment, helicopters and firefighters will continue to work towards building guard around the fire perimeter today.
    • MAP

Anyone with smoke related health concerns should check the Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24/7 health advise from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map use  Western Canada Smoke

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.  

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.   Until further notice, all fire permits remain suspended and fire permits will be issued for essential burning only as per Forest Officer discretion.

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

PREV_OHV_HotSpots_Ad_7.75x5_CMYK-1Grass, 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