Wildfire Hazard
Warm temperatures and lack of rain, keep the wildfire hazard at EXTREME for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Today, we are expected to reach a high of 23 degrees Celsius, wind will be changing to a north west direction at 20 kilometres per hour. Rain is not in the forecast for the coming week.
A significant amount of water on the ground is needed for the forest to recover from the current dry conditions. Areas of dry grass and branches pose the most significant risk of wildfire. Wildfire in these areas will start easily and spread quickly, making it very hard for firefighters to control.
Fire Restriction
Continuing hot, dry weather has elevated the wildfire hazard to extreme throughout most of Alberta, including the Whitecourt Forest Area. A Fire Restriction is now in place.
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All fire permits are suspended or canceled and no new permits will be issued until conditions change.
- Safe wood campfires are permitted in designated campgrounds only.
Other jurisdictions, including municipalities and provincial parks, may also issue fire restrictions or bans. As of today on Alberta Fire Bans website:
FIRE BAN -in effect for the Town of Whitecourt, the Town of Swan Hills, the Town of Barrhead and the County of Barrhead No 11.
FIRE ADVISORY - in effect for Town of Fox Creek.
Please check AlbertaFirebans.ca.for detailed information.
Off-Highway Vehicle Use
Consider Not Riding Your Off-Highway Vehicle Until the Wildfire Hazard Reduces. The hot, dry weather makes it more important than ever to not start a wildfire. Please consider postponing all off-highway vehicle use until conditions improve.
Are You Working With Off-Highway Vehicles or Heavy Equipment?
Under the extreme wildfire hazard and current Fire Restriction, there are steps you can take in your day-to-day operations to help prevent a wildfire:
Off-highway vehicle (OHV) Use
- Defer any non-essential use.
- If you have to use the OHV, before, during and after your ride, stop and remove the build-up of grass, muskeg and other vegetation from your machine (see diagram above for Hot Spots). Stop often (more often if you are in an areas of grass or peat) to remove the build-up of material from your machine.
- Carry firefighting equipment with you at all times on the OHV – water, shovel and bucket.
Heavy Equipment
- Defer any non-essential use.
- Use an early shift configuration where operations stop at noon, before the heat of the day and the peak wildfire-burning period.
- Establish “Active Monitoring” practices – once you have completed operations with heavy equipment, stay in place and watch for flames or smoke for at least 30 minutes. This will help you make sure that activities didn’t start a wildfire.
- If you have specific questions on this, please call our Industry Liaison at 780-779-7321
Wildfire Update
Whitecourt Forest Area Update | May 4 @ 10:00 a.m.
There are three wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Two have been turned over to the responsible party. One other remains the the Area:
- Anselmo Area Wildfire (WWF-014) started on April 28 and remains UNDER CONTROL at 1.50 hectares in size. It is located just over 12 kilometres west of the Town of Mayerthorpe. Firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire until it is extinguished.
Since April 1, 2016 there have been 18 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area that have burned 9.15 hectares.
Provincial Update | May 4 @ 10:00 a.m.
- In the last 24 hours there have been 16 new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Four are being held, six are under control and six has been extinguished.
- There are currently 32 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Two are considered out of control, seven are being held, 16 are under control and seven have been turned over to the responsible party.
- MWF-009 is considered out of control at 7,686 hectares and is located in Fort McMurray. There are 101 firefighters, 11 helicopters fighting this wildfire and four airtankers.
- SWF-030 is considered out of control at 1,646.50 hectares and is located approximately 45 kilometres north west of Red Earth. There are 49 firefighters and six helicopters fighting this wildfire.
Since April 1, 2016, Alberta has recorded 329 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 5,286.82 hectares.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next update on May 5, 2016.
