WILDFIRE DANGER
Snow keeps the wildfire danger at low in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Image: Fox Creek, AB.
WILDFIRE SITUATION | April 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.
Whitecourt Forest Area
Since March 1, 2018 there have been zero wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Province of AlbertaSince March 1, 2018, Alberta has recorded 26 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 2.27 hectares.
For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca
FIRE PERMITS ARE NOW REQUIRED
Free fire permits are required for any burning (except campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
If you need a fire permit in the Whitecourt Forest Area, call:
780-778-7272
Please call at least one week before you need a fire permit. Have ready the legal land location, planned start date, and a daytime phone number.
Fire permits allow firefighters to track burning across the landscape. By getting a fire permit you are ensuring our firefighters are free to fight real wildfires, instead of responding to your planned burn.
If you burn without a fire permit, or outside of the fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. Learn about violation tickets for burning without a permit.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION PRESENTATION - NOW AVAILABLE FOR OIL & GAS COMPANIES
Have a member of Alberta Wildfire go to your workplace and present on wildfire prevention for oil & gas companies. For more information, or to schedule a presentation, contact shawn.milne@gov.ab.ca.
Learn more about the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and associated regulations at: http://wildfire.alberta.ca/enforcement/fppa.aspx
With the ground still frozen and snow covered, there is still time to prevent spring wildfires. Please take the time to check your fall and/or winter burn site(s), to ensure the site is completely extinguished. Here are some tips on how to check fall and winter burn sites:
- Stir it. Start by spreading out the debris within the pile using a metal probe, or if necessary, heavy equipment. Dig down into the soil to make sure the fire hasn’t burnt down in the roots system. Feel for hotspots with your bare hand while looking for steam or smoke.
- Soak it. Using water or snow, soak the area to extinguish the hotspots. When a hotspot is fully extinguished it will be cool to a bare hand's touch.
- Stir it again. One last time, roll the debris over and again, using your bare hand, feel for heat while looking for steam.
A fire is considered completely extinguished when there is absolutely no heat coming from the debris and ground beneath it. Learn more about extinguishing brush pile and windrows.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION
To get wildfire information anytime, any place, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca; or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
RELATED INFORMATION
- Alberta Fire Bans
- FireSmart in Alberta
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Air Quality Health Index
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation