Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - September 5, 2017

Posted on Tue, Sep 05, 2017

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A Fire Advisory has been issued for the Peace River Forest Area portion of the Forest Protection Area due to current and forecasted weather. Please see below for more details.

A number of fire advisories, restrictions, bans and a forest closure have been issued in other forested areas within the province.  Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca for more information.    

 

Wildfire Update

There have been a total of 109 wildfires and 347.30 hectares burned in the Peace River Forest area this fire season.  There are no wildfires actively burning within the area at this time.

For information on wildfires around the province, download our free Alberta Wildfire app, subscribe to our updates or visit our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca.

 

Call 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

 

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard is now HIGH.  Temperatures are expected to be in the mid twenties tomorrow with no rain or thundershowers expected over the next 24 hours. Winds are expected to come from the southeast at 10 km/hr tomorrow.  

Please supervise all fires and completely extinguish them before leaving the site and as always, help us get to wildfires quickly by calling 310-FIRE to report wildfires.

 

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

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A Fire Advisory has been issued for the Peace River Forest Area portion of the Forest Protection Area due to current and forecasted weather.

•  No new permits heavy fuel permits will be issued but existing permits are still valid. Other permit requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
•  Actively work existing heavy fuel (windrows, piles, etc..) permits to extinguishment.
• Check existing permits to ensure fireguards are still safe.
•  Safe campfires are still allowed.

The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until significant precipitation is received.
 
For information on advisories, restrictions, fire bans and forest closures within Alberta, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca.

 

Smoke Concerns

Smoke from wildfires in surrounding areas is expected to continue to affect the Peace River Forest Area.  

When an air quality advisory is in effect, all individuals living in or travelling within the affected area are advised to be aware of Hpotential health concerns that can be associated with poor air quality conditions, and take precautions to reduce exposure and risk. 

Individuals experiencing symptoms can also call Health Link at 811 to speak to a registered nurse.

Information about the air quality in many areas of Alberta is updated regularly on the Alberta Environment and Parks Website at www.airquality.alberta.ca . For a smoke forecast map visit the BlueSky Canada website.  Air quality information is also available by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-247-7333.

 

Help prevent wildfires

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A campfire left smouldering can cause a wildfire. Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's been completely extinguished before you leave your site. Please make sure your campfire is out.

Your off-highway vehicle can start a wildfire. Check your off-highway vehicle frequently for any smouldering debris. Grass, muskeg, moss or other debris can drop to the ground as you're riding and spark a wildfire. ride debris free.

 

Before you burn it, get your permit

As of March 1st, all burning activities in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, now require a fire permit. Fire permits are free and available at your local Agriculture and Forestry office.  You can call 780-624-6190 for more information or to obtain your free fire permit.

 

Changes to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act 

In fall of last year, we passed legislation to enhance wildfire prevention, to deter risky behaviour and give wildland firefighters more tools to keep Albertans and their communities safe.
 
These regulation changes help support the legislation by including:
  • new penalties for violations such as abandoning campfires or burning during fire bans,
  • and improving government’s ability to restrict higher risk activities, like fireworks and incendiary targets.

Penalties will be determined by a statutory decision-maker on a case-by-case basis.

Please visit our website for more information.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Or contact:

Crystal Burrows 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3743)