FIRE BAN IN EFFECT
Due to the continued wildfire danger from dry grass and weather indicators, the Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remains in effect for the Peace River Forest Area and most of northern Alberta.
Existing fire permits are suspended until further notice.
Prohibited
- All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.
- Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
- Fireworks and exploding targets.
- The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands.
Allowed
- Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
- Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.
- Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.
- OHVs for industrial use, agricultural use, and traditional use by Indigenous peoples, as well as use on private lands.
The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Many nearby municipalities have advisories, restrictions or firebans in place. Please check www.albertafirebans.ca for more information and to view a map of the fireban/OHV restriction boundaries.
WILDFIRE UPDATE (current as of June 5, 2019 at 11 pm)
There were no new fire starts today.
Numerous resources including crews, aircraft and heavy equipment groups were placed throughout the area on standby and at the ready to quickly action any new wildfire starts.
There have been 72 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of two.
WILDFIRES OF NOTE:
Battle Complex:
PCX-001 (formerly PWF 052 and 054) remains out of control at 56,226 hectares in size in the Manning/Notikewin area
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The fire perimeter did not grow today. It remains at 55,226 hectares in size. Please note that although fire activity decreased yesterday, there continues to be active fire within the perimeter. You will continue to see smoke, flame and occasionally torching. As of Tuesday evening, a dozer guard was completed around the entire perimeter of the fire. Crews will continue to solidify the perimeter and attack hotspots as necessary.
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Resources on the fire include 428 personnel, 13 aircraft as well as a large contingent of heavy equipment of 9 dozer groups. A new BC Incident Command Team has transitioned onto the fire. The Fire Information Officer, Marg Drysdale, can be reached at: 780-653-0153 extension 2.
- Battle Complex Map
PWF 070 remains classified as under control at 251 hectares in size west of Keg River. The fire has been completely surrounded by dozer guard and the perimeter has not changed since Monday of last week. Firefighters and aircraft are continuing to work towards extinguishing this fire and do not expect the perimeter to grow beyond the current boundaries.
HWF 042 (Chuckegg Creek Fire)
For updates on this fire, please visit
http://srd.web.alberta.ca/high-level-area-update
For your safety and the safety of the numerous firefighters working to contain these wildfires, please stay obey the access restrictions and stay out of the area if you do not need to be there.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.
FIRE WEATHER
Today’s temperatures are expected to peak at around 10 degrees with RH levels in the 40-45 % range. Very light and scattered showers are expected to pass through the area today. The afternoon’s winds are expected to come in from the NE at 20 km/hr with gusts up to 40 km/hr.
SAFETY NOTICES
EVACUATIONS
County of Northern Lights:
- The evacuation alert for the Town of Manning including surround County of Northern Lights residents north of township road 910 (Northstar road) and south of township road 922 (Notikewin road) and all those west of range road 231 remains in effect.
For more information on evacuation alerts, visit Alberta Emergency Alert or download the free Alberta Emergency Alert app.
ROAD CLOSURES
The Chinchanga Road has been opened to commercial traffic only. Those travelling the road must do so at 50 km/hr and must pass through the active fire area without stopping. Crews and equipment are moving through the area so please give them the right of way and drive cautiously. Checkpoints are in place and will stop traffic as they enter the area.
The highway between Twin Lakes and High Level remains closed due to the Chuckegg fire and associated evacuations in that area.
For information on road closures and other access related hazards, visit Alberta 511 or download the free Alberta 511 app.
SMOKE
Smoke may be drifting into the area for the foreseeable future. Anyone with health concerns should check with Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24/7 health advice from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map, visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.
FIRE PERMITS SUSPENDED
All fire permits have been suspended, effective on May 16 at 6 pm. No fire permits will be issued until the fire danger conditions improve.
Please call the Peace River Forest Area office at 780-624-6190 if you have any questions about fire permits.
DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT WILDFIRES
Please continue to respect the fire ban and quad restriction currently in effect.
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
- Bookmark the Peace River Wildfire Update and check for updates anytime or subscribe to have it emailed to you
- Download our app, available for Apple and Android devices.
- You can also find us on Facebook,Twitter, Youtube
- or visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca
Or contact:
Crystal Burrows
Wildfire Information Officer
(780) 618-6215
crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3743)