Peace River Area Update

Numerous pieces of heavy equipment have worked diligently to contain many of the wildfires that have burned in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area so far this fire season.  On the Notikewin complex alone, almost 100 kilometres of dozer guard has been built in the last two weeks.     

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard for the Peace River Wildfire Management Area is now HIGH but if the rain that has been forecasted for the area passes through as expected, the fire hazard is expected to drop tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high teens tomorrow with high relative humidities and strong winds gusting up to 45 km/hr. 

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue, resulting in an increased risk of lightning started wildfires. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473). Despite the recent rainfall, the surface vegetation and trees remain flammable. 

Wildfire Danger Notice

Campfires
Safe campfires are permitted in campgrounds and back country or random camping areas. 

Fire Permits
Fire permits are not suspended at this time, but may be in the future if the wildfire hazard continues to climb. Fire permits will be issued on a site-by-site basis and may be refused until conditions are more favorable.  

Visit www.albertafirebans.ca for the latest fire ban information across the province. 

Concerned About Smoke?

Anyone with health concerns regarding the smoke should check the Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24/7 health advice from Alberta Health Link.

For a smoke forecast map, please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.

Local Wildfires

There have been 152 wildfires in the Peace River Wildfire Management Area this fire season, all but 12 of which have been extinguished.  There were four new wildfires in the area today.

Active wildfires in the area current as of 7:30 pm on July 15 (changes have been italicized): 

• PWF 052 is under control at 1202.00 hectares in the Hotchkiss area.
• PWF 116 is under control at 5.40 hectares northeast of the Notikewin Provincial Park.
• PWF 130 is under control at 1.0 hectare in size in the Hawk Hills area.
• PWF 134 is under control at 0.5 hectares in size west of the Clearhills area.
• PWF 135 is under control at 6.0 hectares in size west of the Clearhills area.
• PWF 137 is being held at 3.40 hectares north of the Hines Creek area.
• PWF 148 was discovered in the Dixonville area this afternoon and has been extinguished at 0.30 hectares in size.
• PWF 149 also started this afternoon and is currently under control at 0.10 hectares in the Harmon Valley area.
• PWF 150 was discovered this evening and is currently out of control at 0.01 hectares in size in the Haig Lake area.
• PWF 151 was also discovered this evening and is currently out of control at 0.40 hectares in size in the Bison Lake area.

NOTIKEWIN COMPLEX

Please continue to respect the restrictions to access that have been put in place for your safety and the safety of our fire fighters.

• PWF 129 is being held at 538 hectares in the Notikewin area (approximately 15 kms northwest of Sulphur lake). A dozer guard has been completed around the entire perimeter of the fire.  There were a few hotspots that were smoking today and crews and helicopters worked to extinguish them today and will continue to work towards getting this fire under control tomorrow. 
• PWF 131 is 3,006 hectares in size and remains out of control. This fire is located approximately 10 kms west of Sulphur Lake and 15 kms northwest of Stony Lake. Firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters continued their work towards containing this wildfire today and will continue to do so tomorrow. The area that burned over the dozer guard yesterday has been surrounded by new dozer guard and fire fighting crews and helicopters all worked to extinguish the remaining hotspots.  Rain has been forecasted for the area and we are hoping that enough will fall to help control the fire without obscuring visibility, making it difficult for the helicopters to safely operate tomorrow.  
• *In order to ensure the safety of the public and our firefighters, access onto the Notikewin Tower Road, the Canfor Road, the DMI P2 200 and the Silver Creek Road will be limited to necessary personnel only until further notice.  Please do NOT go into the area for any reason without first calling 780-618-6215.*
• NOTIKEWIN COMPLEX MAP UPDATED JULY 12

PBZ002 (FONTAS FIRE):

• PBZ002 - This wildfire started in British Columbia and has made its way over the Alberta/British Columbia border in the Fontas area.  Approximately 2926 hectares of this fire are now burning within Alberta. The fire was very quiet again today as crews continued to patrol this fire today.
  
• PBZ002 MAP UPDATED JULY 10

Provincial Wildfires

There are  103 wildfires currently burning in the province, 16 of which remain out of control as of 7:30 pm on July 15.  

The 2015 fire season has been busier than average for the province with 1,437 fires and 490,290.46 hectares burned thus far.  

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  or 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