Whitecourt Area Update

Extreme Wildfire Hazard For Your May Long Weekend - What you need to know

Posted on Fri, May 15, 2015

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WILDFIRE HAZARD

Strong winds gusting to 40 kilometers per hour are forecast for today and tomorrow. Together with warm temperatures and dry conditions the wildfire hazard remains EXTREME for the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA). No significant rain is expected in the near future. Dry grass, leaves and branches will continue to catch fire easily. We encourage everyone to be extra careful while working, recreating and using Off-Highway Vehicles in forested areas.

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FIRE ADVISORY

Due to the extreme wildfire hazard and strong wind conditions, a Fire Advisory has been issued for the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area.

This means that all fire permits are suspended with the exception of burn barrels. No new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve. Burn barrel permit holders must follow the conditions of their permit. Winds will be gusting up to 40km/hr today which exceeds the wind limit on your permit.

Safe campfires are currently allowed, but may be restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. For more information click here.

Check www.albertafirebans.ca for up-to-date advisories, restrictions and bans in surrounding areas.

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WILDFIRE SUMMARY (1000hrs, May 15, 2015)

Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
Currently, there is one wildfire that is Being Held in the Whitecourt WMA.

WWF-017
- status: being held; which means it is not expected to grow past its current boundaries.
- location: just over 47 km southeast of the town of Swan Hills.
- size: 12 hectares.
- activity on the fire: four firefighters, eight pieces of heavy equipment working on bring the fire to extinguishment.

Since April 1, 2015, there have been 17 wildfires in the area which have burned 31 hectares.

Provincial Wildfires

There are 16 wildfires burning in Alberta. Three are being held, 10 are under control and two have been turned over to the responsible party.

o  EWF-015 is located approximately eight km northwest of Lodgepole and is now being held. This means that it is 100 per cent contained and with current weather and current firefighters and equipment, it is not expected to grow past planned boundaries. We currently have 140 firefighters, four helicopters, and six pieces of heavy equipment fighting this 753 hectare wildfire. For more information, please check the Edson Wildfire Management Area wildfire update.

Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 391 new wildfires that have burned a total of 1,787.43 hectares.

How can you help? If you are using an off-highway vehicle during your day, periodically check your vehicle for the build up of grass, branches and other debris. This material can catch fire and drop from your vehicle as you drive; acting like a drip-torch it can start a wildfire.

Never leave a fire unattended and make sure to properly extinguish the fire by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. Learn more here.

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If you have any questions please contact me. Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update May 16th.

 

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Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer

Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273
mobile: 780-706-5336
Shannon.Stambaugh@gov.ab.ca