Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - May 10, 2019

Posted on Fri, May 10, 2019

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-high.jpg

Grass burning

The Peace River Forest Area has been experiencing strong winds that may persist throughout the weekend. With the dry forest vegetation, wildfires will spread quickly in these conditions.  Please follow the conditions on your fire permit, recreate safely and call 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

 

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

fire_advisory-resized-600

Although some snow still remains in sheltered areas, exposed dry grass in the Peace River region poses a significant wildfire risk. As a result, a Fire Advisory is now in effect for the Peace River Forest Area.

Existing fire permits remain valid (subject to suspension or cancellation). New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis. Please continue to monitor this site for any changes.

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.

 

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE

There have been 48 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of three:

PWF 043 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.50 hectares in size.

PWF 044 is now under control at 6.4 hectares in size east of the Worsley area.

PWF 048 has been turned over to the landowner at 16.0 hectares in size.

All of the wildfires that have been discovered this year so far have been human caused.  Please remember to get a permit before you burn, follow the conditions on your permit, burn safely and ensure you recreate safely by completely extinguishing all campfires and keeping your OHV clean.  More information on that can be found below.

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

 

FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED

 

The 2019 Fire Season started on March 1, 2019.  As of that date, 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 to learn more.

 

 

DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT WILDFIRES

 

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.

Safe campfire

 

Check your OHV for debris

PREV_OHV_HotSpots_Ad_7.75x5_CMYK-1Off-highway vehicles can start wildfires and this is especially likely in dry grass conditions.  Check frequently to ensure hot spots such as your exhaust, muffler, under the seat, wheel wells, engine and manifold on your OHV are free of debris, and ensure that your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly. 
 
 
 
 
 
  

  

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

App_promo.jpg
 

 

Or contact:

Crystal Burrows 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca