Whitecourt Area Update

Burning not recommended today | Whitecourt Forest Area

Posted on Mon, Apr 18, 2016

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Postpone all non-essential burning today, wait until conditions improve.

Wildfire Hazard 

Wind speeds will be 20 kilometres per hour today, gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour. The wildfire hazard is EXTREME for the Whitecourt Forest Area. This means a wildfire that starts today will spread fast and will be difficult and dangerous to control.

Today, the temperature will be 24 degrees Celsius with no chance of rain and winds will be south - south east at 20 kilometres per hour, gusting to 50 kilometres per hour.

Patches of dry grass and branches pose the highest areas of wildfire risk, use caution when working or recreating in these areas.

Call 310-FIRE if you see smoke in the forest.

 

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Fire Advisory in Effect 

As of April 8, 2016 a Fire Advisory has been declared in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Fire permits for heavy fuels (i.e. brush piles, windrows and root piles) will not be issued until conditions improve.

  • Current Fire Permits are still valid, check the weather before you burn.
  • No new Fire Permits will be issued.
  • Safe campfires are still allowed but are not recommended until weather conditions change.
  • The Advisory will remain in place until conditions improve.

If you have questions about Fire Permits within the Whitecourt Forest Area call 780-778-7272. 

Burning activities may become restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. For more information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca.

  

Wildfire Update

Whitecourt Forest Area | April 18 @ 1000hrs

Currently, there are  three wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area

  • Wildfire number 5 has been turned over to the responsible party.  

  • Wildfire number 7 (14-2963-03-5) located 64 kilometers south east of the town of Swan Hills - currently under control at 2.60 hectares in size. Currently, six firefighters that are working to extinguish this wildfire.

  • Wildfire number 8 (03-03-59-13-5) located just over 13 kilometres south west of the town of Whitecourt, is under control at 0.1 hectares in size. Firefighters continue to monitor the site to ensure it is fully extinguished.

Since April 1, 2016 there have been eight wildfires that have burned 4.26 hectares. 

For information on wildfires across the province, visit Wildfire.Alberta.ca

 

Check Your Burn Sites

During times of dry, windy weather, improperly extinguished fires can come back to life, especially during a wind event.

Spread out remaining ash and probe the area for hot spots. Use your hand to feel for heat comming from the ash pile. If you see smoke or feel heat, the fire is still burning beneath the surface. Soak any remaining hot spots with water and stir up the ashes and soak again. 

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Photo: Brushpile smoldering within Whitecourt Forest Area.
 
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next update on April 19, 2016.
 
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
email: Shannon.Stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
office: 780.778.7273 | mobile: 780.706.5336
 
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