Peace River Area Update

The Peace Area Welcomes More International Assistance

Posted on Sat, Aug 01, 2015

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An overhead team from New Zealand and 60 firefighters from Mexico were briefed and sent out to the Notikewin Complex today. They will begin their transition onto the fires tomorrow. The complex will now be manning the wildfire in the Fontas area as well as the two wildfires in the Sulphur Lake area.

Mexicans

 

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard level for the Peace River Wildfire Management Area is now moderate. Temperatures are expected to be in the low  to mid twenties tomorrow with moderate humidity and a chance of scattered thundershowers and lightning.  The winds are expected to be from the southeast at 15km/hr.

At this time of year, firefighting resources are kept busy with lightning fires, often with multiple wildfires starting in one afternoon, making it very important to be extra careful with fire and limit the number of human caused wildfires. Never leave your campfire unattended and carry firefighting equipment when working or recreating in the forest.  If you see smoke or fire in the forest, please call 310-FIRE.

 

Local Wildfires

There have been 165 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area so far this fire season, none of which are currently out of control.  In the past 24 hours, one new wildfire was detected in the Weberville area and is currently under control

  • The wildfire burning in the Hotchkiss area, PWF 052  remains under control at 1202 hectares.
  • The wildfire burning west of the Clearhills area, PWF 135 remains under control at 6.0 hectares.
  • PWF 164, in the Weberville area, is under control at 0.01 hectare in size.

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  • The wildfire burning in the Fontas area PBZ 002, started in British Columbia and crossed over the Alberta/British Columbia border in early July. Currently this fire continues to burn in Alberta and is 3000 hectares in size. Today, 20 fireighters from Mexico along with one Divisional Supervisor from New Zealand and one of our local Forest Officers were briefed and sent out to Hamburg and will begin working on this fire tomorrow.
 
NOTIKEWIN COMPLEX
  • PWF 129 is located in the Notikewin area (approximately 15 kms northwest of Sulphur lake). This fire is listed as under control at 419.50 hectares 

  • PWF 131 is located approximately 10 kms west of Sulphur Lake and 15 kms northwest of Stony Lake. This fire is 3,167 hectares in size and listed as being held. 

  • Both fires were relatively quiet today and did not receive any significant rainfall.
  • Numerous firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters have been and will continue to work towards containing these wildfires.  The firefighters from Quebec completed their efforts on this fire today while the American hotshot crew will be leaving the fire tomorrow, each of them homeward bound.  In their place, 40 Mexican firefighters and 15-person overhead team from New Zealand will begin working on this fire tomorrow.  

Please visit our wildfire status map on our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App for more information on wildfires throughout the province.

 

Fire Permits

Fire permits are being issued at this time but please check your fire permit to ensure you are burning safely and within your permit conditions. When winds are over 20 km/hr burning is not permitted. Wind can pick up small sparks and carry them several kilometers away, potentially starting wildfires in dry areas.

Fire permits are free and can be obtained by phoning the Peace River Wildfire Management Office at 780-624-6190.

 

Wildfire Prevention

Click the links below for more information on how you can prevent wildfires this long weekend.

 

For more Information contact:

Crystal Burrows
Wildfire Information Officer  
780-618-6215
crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca