Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - May 23, 2019

Posted on Wed, May 22, 2019

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The wildfire danger is EXTREME in the Peace River Forest Area.  RED FLAG WEATHER WATCH remains in effect.

Fire 52 saw minimal growth on the fire today. See more details below.

The Chin Road is closed from 9 am to midnight.  The area is accessible from midnight to 9 am. Anyone entering the area will have to check in and out with staff responsible for the closure. Be aware of smoke and visibility issues and be prepared to exit and stay to the west if the fire picks up and the road is inaccessible for exit.

We are experiencing extreme wildfire weather.  The forest area is extremely dry.  Any fires that start will spread quickly and be very difficult to contain.

We remain under a RED FLAG WEATHER WATCH.  This means a weather event tomorrow could pose a critical degree of danger to fireline personnel and the public. Tomorrow’s deep crossover position (temp higher than humidity) and winds mean fire behavior will be drastically impacted by the weather. There is potential for significant growth on the fire tomorrow. 

Thunder remains a possibility for Thursday. 

FIRE BAN and QUAD RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

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Due to extreme wildfire danger from dry grass and weather indicators, a Fire Ban and Quad Restriction is now in effect for the Peace River Forest Area and most of northern Alberta.  Visit albertafirebans.ca for more information.

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. 

To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca

Many nearby municipalities have advisories, restrictions or firebans in place.  Please check www.albertafirebans.ca for more information.

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE

There have been 68 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of those below:

WILDFIRES OF NOTE: (update as of 1800 hours Wednesday)

Battle Complex (Notikewin and Battle River wildfires):

Current size: less than 18,000 hectares (ha)

The photos below:

(left) A wildfire crew member applies water to hot spots along the edge of fire PWF 052 as part of efforts to cool down the edges of the fire.

(Right) A wildlife crew member carries fire hose to positions along the fire break as part of containment activities on PWF 052.  

22 May -322 May-1

 

  • PWF 052 remains out of control in the Notikewin Area. The fire is about 8600 hectares.
    • This fire is located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the town of Manning. 
    • Heavy smoke this morning, cloud cover and lighter winds combined for a quiet fire day with minimal growth on the fire.
    • Heavy equipment operators and fire crews worked hard building new fire breaks along the northeast side of the fire in preparation for prescribed burns Wednesday evening; weather conditions permitting.
    • There will be smoke associated with the planned prescribed burn goes forward that may be noticeable to residents living east of the fire.
    • Light winds are expected overnight with a relative humidity levels between 40-50 per cent which will help slow growth.
    • Thursday's forecast is for a high of 22 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 15 per cent and winds continuing northeast at 15-20 kilometers per hour (kph).
    • Given these condition, it is possible smoke will blanket the area again tomorrow further suppressing fire activity.
    • Temperatures will warm Friday and Saturday with dry conditions and northeast winds.
    • Sunday could be a critical day with winds switching during the peak burning period to southwesterly at 20-25 kph.
    • Currently there are 280 firefighters, 21 helicopters, 3 airtanker groups, 14 dozer groups 3 water trucks, 5 Nodwells, 2 Hagglunds and other heavy equipment assigned to this fire.
  • PWF 054 remains being held at 74 hectares in size in the Battle River area.  This fire is on patrol status.

Tomorrow is a RED FLAG WATCH day.  This means a weather event tomorrow is expected that could pose a critical degree of danger to fireline personnel and the public. Tomorrow’s deep crossover position (temp higher than humidity) and winds mean fire behavior will be drastically impacted by the weather. 

Tomorrow is going to be another significant day for the Battle Complex. Safety of our firefighters and the public is of paramount importance. When and if the head of the fire becomes too intense to work on, we will redirect crews and equipment to safer areas, while we continue to work on areas of the fire that need strengthening in anticipation of west winds next weekend.

Battle Complex Map 

Map 22 May 19

For updates on efforts being taken by municipal fire fighters to provide structural protection and emergency preparedness information, please visit the County of Northern Lights website.

 OTHER WILDFIRES IN THE AREA:

  • PWF 043 is extinguished.
  • PWF 062 is extinguished.
  • PWF 064 has been turned over to the landowner.
  • PWF 066 has been turned over to the landowner.

For your safety and the safety of the numerous firefighters working to contain these wildfires, please 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 PERMITS SUSPENDED

 Fire permits have been suspended, effective 1800 hours, May 16.  

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 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

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Or contact:

Derrick Forsythe 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 288-7932

derrick.forsythe@gov.ab.ca