WILDFIRE HAZARD
Cooler temperatures along with rain and/or snow are keeping the wildfire hazard LOW for the Peace River Forest Area. If you see smoke in the forest, call 310-FIRE (3473).
AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
There have been 135 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season with a total of 328.62 hectares burned. Peace River Forest Area staff also assisted on 9 mutual aid wildfires with a total of 309.26 hectares burned and a large wildfire that started in British Columbia that remains under control with 22,838.60 hectares burned on the Alberta side of the border.
Of the over eighty human-caused wildfires in the area this season, many were the result of fires that were not properly extinguished during the winter. When the conditions became favorable in the spring, they reignited and became wildfires. If you are going to do any burning this fall and/or winter, please take the time to read the preparation tips below.
For more information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.
SAFE WINTER BURNING PRACTICES
The 2016 Fire Season ended October 31, 2016. Safe burning practices are always in season - don't let your winter burn come back to life in the spring. Although you no longer require a fire permit for burning within the Forest Protection Area, once you light a fire, you are responsible if a wildfire results from the burn. Take the time to properly prepare your burn site, know the requirements you need to be successful during your burn and know how to extinguish your site. Please also take into consideration the safety concerns that may arise from the smoke your burning creates. Always ensure proper safety precautions are taken and appropriate signage is in place. If you see smoke that is creating a safety concern on roadways, please call 310-FIRE immediately.
Prepare the site:
- Choose a location that is on high ground and so that pile can be 25 metres or more away from structures and standing trees.
- Surround the pile with a fireguard that is at least 15 metres wide - preferably bare mineral soil.
- Ensure the pile is clean of dirt so it can burn cleanly and quickly.
Safe burning practices:
- Have someone on site monitoring the burn the entire time - if it escapes, immediately report it to 310-FIRE
- Have adequate tools, water and equipment on site when burning. If you require advice on this, call the Peace River Forest Area Office at: 780-624-6190.
- Only burn what you can control with the equipment and people you have available and always burn according to the weather conditions.
After you burn:
- Spread out the remaining material within the pile.
- Soak the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced by the pile - it should be cool to the touch.
- Check your burn site multiple times in the coming weeks to ensure it has not reignited.
More about safe burning practices can be found on our website.
BECOME PART OF OUR TEAM
Are you interested in protecting Alberta's communities? Does team work, safety and dedication inspire you? Become a wildland firefighter, work with air tankers or in a warehouse - there are many possibilities and here is your chance!
For more information or to apply visit our website.
Learn more about what its like to be a wildland firefighter in this video. Application deadline is November 30, 2016.
WILDFIRE PROTECTION LAWS TO BE STRENGTHENED
The Alberta Government is improving legislation that supports wildfire prevention and helps protect communities.
Bill 24, the Forest and Prairie Protection Amendment Act, was tabled in the legislature on October 31, introducing measures aimed at reducing the number of wildfires caused by humans and enhancing firefighting operations.
The proposed amendments to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act will:
- Improve public safety and wildfire prevention measures by:
- strengthen penalties to help deter such high-risk activities as abandoning campfires or burning during fire bans;
- simplify the process to restrict activities, such as off-highway vehicle, use when fire conditions are hazardous;
- improve authority to stop actions that interfere with firefighting, including restricting drones; and,
- improve disposal requirements for potentially hazardous forest debris.
- Designate March 1 as the official start of fire season to ensure that burning permit requirements are in place in a timely manner.
- Clarify operational processes, roles and responsibilities.
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 forAppleandAndroid 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