Postpone all non-essential burning today, wait until conditions improve.
Fire Advisory in Effect
On April 8, 2016 a Fire Advisory was 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. Before you burn, check the weather to make sure you are within the conditions of your permit.
- No new Fire Permits will be issued until conditions improve.
- 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 Hazard
EXTREME for the Whitecourt Forest Area. This means a wildfire that starts today will spread fast and will be difficult and dangerous to control.
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.
Wildfire Update
Whitecourt Forest Area | April 19 @ 1000hrs
Currently, there are three wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area:
- Whitecourt wildfire number 7
Location: Legal land location 14-2963-03-5. Located just over 64 kilometers south east of the town of Swan Hills. The wildfire is UNDER CONTROL at 2.60 hectares in size. Firefighters continue to monitor the site to ensure the wildfire is extinguished.
- Whitecourt wildfire number 9 has been turned over to the responsible party.
- Whitecourt wildfire number 10 (legal land location 09-32-62-05-5) is located just over 50 kilometers south east of the town of Swan Hills. The wildfire is BEING HELD at 0.84 hectares in size.
Currently, nine firefighters are working to extinguish areas of open flame this wildfire working towards extinguishing it.
Since April 1, 2016 there have been 10 wildfires that have burned 5.11 hectares.
For information on wildfires across the province, visit Wildfire.Alberta.ca
Smoke-Related Health Concerns
If you have health concerns regarding smoke inhalation from a wildfire, check Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for health advice.
For a smoke forecast map, please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.
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 coming 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.
