The winds are expected to be gusty overnight and tomorrow which will allow fires to spread quickly. Please use caution if burning and call 310-FIRE to report wildfires so our firefighters can begin working on controlling new fires as as quickly as possible. 

Wildfire Hazard

Due to the continued dry conditions and the strong, gusty winds that are expected to continue overnight, the wildfire hazard in the area remains VERY HIGH.

There is rain in the forecast and if the area gets enough rain, the wildfire hazard is expected to drop. Remember, it is easy to become complacent when small rain showers pass through but the forest remains very dry and the fire hazard will climb back up very readily as the warm temperatures continue.  A significant and widespread rainfall is needed to knock the wildfire hazard down for a longer period of time.   

It is important to prevent wildfires and equally important for firefighters to get to them while they are still small.  For this reason, fire fighting crews, air tankers, helicopters and heavy equipment have been strategically placed throughout the Peace River Wildfire Management Area ready to be quickly dispatched to any wildfire starts.  Our wildfire lookouts and aerial patrol crews will be on the look out for smokes in the area, but we need your help too. 

PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN BURNING OR RECREATING IN THE FOREST AND CALL 310-FIRE TO REPORT WILDFIRES. 

Fire Restriction Information

The Peace River Wildfire Management Area currently has no fire bans or restrictions in place, however, a fire advisory is now in place to the north, south and east of our area.  

Worth noting is the fact that this only applies to the fire restrictions that are on in the Forest Protection Area and a number of municipalities in the area have maintained their fire advisories, restrictions and bans. Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca to ensure that there is no fire ban or restriction in your area before burning.

The Peace River Wildfire Management Area would like to thank everyone for cooperating with the fire restrictions and fire bans over the past few weeks.  This cooperation was vital in helping our fire fighters to focus their efforts on the wildfires burning in our area while preventing the ignition of new human caused wildfires.

Local Wildfires

There have been 84 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area this fire season, all but 4 of which have now been extinguished.  

Active wildfires in the area current as of 6 pm June 11: 

• PWF 052  is under control at 1202.80 hectares and surrounded by dozer guard  
• PWF 054 is under control at 36.60 hectares
• PWF 083 is being held at 0.20 hectares in the Keg River area
• PWF 084 is out of control at 10.9 hectares in the Bison Lake area

Multiple air tanker groups, helicopters, crews and heavy equipment have all been working hard to control the two wildfires that started today.  The strong, gusty winds and dry forest created challenging conditions but good progress has been made today. Firefighting efforts will continue until these wildfires are under control.

Provincial Wildfires

Provincially, there have been 869 wildfies.  Of these, there are 45 wildfires currently burning, 10 of which remain out of control at this time. Please visit our wildfire status map on our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App for more information on what is happening throughout the province.

Fire Permits

BEFORE YOU BURN IT, GET YOUR PERMIT

Albertans in the forested areas need to get a fire permit for any burning, excluding campfires.

• Fire permits are free and you can get more information or request a fire permit by calling our Peace River office at 780-624-6190.
• Please call a week in advance of when you would like to burn in order to give our staff time to make arrangements to come out to your site and issue your permit.
• In order to further ease the process, please have your site ready according to the burning site guidelines. before staff arrive.
• All permits must be completely extinguished before they expire, so if you need an extention, please make sure to call in for one well before your permit expires.

Wildfire Prevention

Please click on the links below for more information on how YOU can prevent wildfires.

• get a fire permit before you burn
• ensure that your campfire is COMPLETELY extinguished before you leave your site
• check your ATV for dry debris that may be heating up on the hot parts of your machine.  

For More Information

• Visit us on Facebook, Twitter or download our Alberta Wildfire App for android and apple products
• Up-to-date information fire restrictions and fire bans is available by calling 1-866-FYI-FIRE (1-866-394-3473).
• Current wildfire information
• Fire ban information
• Fire ban system