Enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act regulations include:
- New penalties for infractions such as leaving a campfire unattended or burning without a permit
- Restrictions on the use of fireworks or exploding targets in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta without written permission from a forest officer
- Improvements to flammable debris disposal and other industry-based requirements
Under the enhanced regulations individuals who knowingly contravene the act by starting a wildfire could face fines of up to $100,000 or face imprisonment and industrial users could be fined up to $1 million.
Effective May 1, officers will be authorized to issue tickets for contraventions, like leaving a campfire unattended. Depending on the infraction, individual fines for specific violations could result in tickets ranging from between $172 and $575.
Wildfire Hazard Update
The recent warm weather has caused the snow to disappear quickly exposing areas of dead dry grass. Use caution when working or recreating in areas of exposed grass as the temperatures rise the grass becomes dry and flammable.
Firefighters are taking advantage of the snow-free conditions and will be burning areas of dry grass in and around many communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area over the next several weeks. Burning helps to remove the dangerous build-up of dry grass that becomes prominent around many communities in the spring. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.
Before you burn it get a fire permit. As of March 1st, fire permits are required for any burning (excluding campfires) in the Forest Protection Area.
To obtain your free fire permit call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office:
- Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 780-849-7377
- Wabasca 780-891-3860
- High Prairie 780-523-6619
Last year in Alberta, 60% of wildfires were caused by humans. Human caused wildfires are 100% preventable so please do your part to prevent wildfires this season.By getting a fire permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape and if you are burning without a fire permit your fire is considered a wildfire.
If you have conducted any burning this winter, be sure to go back and check your winter burns to make sure they are extinguished. A fire left smouldering can burn under the snow all winter and emerge as a wildfire in the spring when conditions are warm and dry.
When checking your winter burning, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hot spots. Use your bare hand to feel for heat over the ash piles. If you see smoke or feel any heat, the fire is still burning beneath the surface. Douse any remaining hot spots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not completely extinguished until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes. Report your winter burns to Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Technologist Russell Murphy by calling 780-849-7457 or by email Russell.Murphy@gov.ab.ca
Click here for information on safe burning practices for brush piles and windrows.
Get the most up-to-date wildfire information by downloading the free Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple devices.
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Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on April 7, 2017.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945 Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)