4 Quick Tips To Successfully Burn This Winter
- Build your burn pile at least 25 metres from trees and bushes and no more than 6 metres wide.
- Surround your burn site with a 15 metre wide firegaurd; preferably ground that is cleared down to the mineral soil.
- Before you ignite, call your local Whitecourt Forest Area Office with your winter burn site location: 780-778-7272.
- Carefully inspect the site in the days and weeks after your burn is complete to ensure it is completely out. Dig deep in the ashes, search for heat. Stir the debris and soak the ashes with water until it is cold to the touch.
You can help our firefighters this winter by contacting us if you have any concerns about a winter burn you are completing or to report a winter burn location. Call the Whitecourt Forest Area Office at: 780-778-7272.
Anytime of the year, call 310-FIRE (3743) to report a wildfire.
Image: Always burn within your control,
if the conditions aren't right, don't ignite.
Fire Permits
As of October 31, 2015, a fire permit is no longer required for burning inside the Forest Protection Area (FPA). Revisit any burn sites before the start of Fire Season on March 1; permits will be required after that date.
Tips On Wildfire Prevention
Even though a fire permit isn't required right now, this doesn't mean a wildfire can't start, continue to be safe when out recreating or working in the forest.
Like most of the province, the Whitecourt Forest Area was very dry last summer and fall. This lack of water in the ground will allow a winter fire to burn deep. Even if you are just roasting a hot dog, that is a burn site. Make sure it is out, use lots of water or even snow!
Image: Taking a break from ice fishing
to roast a hotdog. Near Whitecourt AB.
Whitecourt Forest Area | January 27 @ 11am
Currently, there are no wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area (WFA). Since April 1, 2015 there have been 93 wildfires that have burned 71.42 hectares. This is the highest number of starts in the WFA in the last five years. Thanks to the quick response and hard work of firefighters, the largest wildfire has been 31 hectares in size. This is substantially below what we consider a large wildfire (normally 200 hectares in size).
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273 | mobile: 780.706.5336
