Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - May 27, 2019

Posted on Mon, May 27, 2019

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PWF 052 - May 27, pm 

 

FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

FBSFireBan_SocialMedia-01Due to extreme wildfire danger from dry grass and weather indicators, a Fire Ban and OHV Restriction is now 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

There have been 70 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of five:

WILDFIRES OF NOTE:

Battle Complex (Notikewin and Battle River wildfires):

  • PWF 052 remains out of control at 27,987 hectares in size in the Notikewin Area. 
    • Heavy smoke blanketed the area to the east and northeast of the fire this morning, which meant helicopters and heavy equipment were unable to work in those areas until late morning. 

    • Smoke shaded the fire for much of the day, which has helped to lessen fire activity somewhat.

    • Smoky conditions are anticipated on the ground Tuesday morning. If that forecast is correct, helicopters and heavy equipment may not be able to work until late morning again but the shade provided should help reduce the fire behavior. Ground crews will be positioned in areas where visibility and safety are not impacted by smoke.

  • PWF 054 is under control at 74.23 hectares in size in the Battle River area.    
  • Battle Complex Map

PWF 070 is out of control at 239 hectares in size west of Keg River.  Numerous firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment worked towards containing this fire today.  The fire has now been completely surrounded by dozer guard.

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 064 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.01 hectares in size. 
  • PWF 066 has been turned over to the landowner at 10.50 hectares in size in the Three Creeks area. 

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

FIRE WEATHER WARNING IN EFFECT

Extreme crossover conditions have been forecasted for tomorrow.  This means temperatures will be higher (30 degrees) than the relative humidity (15%) resulting in dry vegetation.  This combined with the gusty winds (SW 20 km/hr gusting up to 40km/hr) that are expected, will create extremely volatile burning conditions.

Numerous firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment groups have been strategically placed throughout the Peace River Forest Area in preparation for any new wildfire starts.  Please help them get to fires quickly by calling 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

 

EVACUATIONS, SMOKE AND ROAD CLOSURES

For information on evacuation alerts, visit Alberta Emergency Alert or download the free Alberta Emergency Alert app.  For information on the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement evacuation, please visit their Facebook page.

72 hour emergency preparedness kit      

For information on road closures and other access related hazards, visit Alberta 511 or download the free Alberta 511 app.

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

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Or contact:

Crystal Burrows 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca

Many nearby municipalities have advisories, restrictions or firebans in place.  Please check www.albertafirebans.ca before doing any burning.