WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
Significant rainfall and cooler temperatures keep the wildfire hazard low for the Whitecourt Forest Area.
If you see smoke in the forest call 310-FIRE (3474).
WILDFIRE UPDATE
There are no active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been four wildfires that have burned 0.04 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfire.alberta.ca.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES CAN START WILDFIRES
Grasses, branches and mud can build-up on any vehicle that is designed for off road use. The debris can ignite from the heat of the machine, fall off and start a wildfire.
Prevent a wildfire by:
- Removing debris - keeping your machine debris free by checking it before, during and after a ride.
- Strategic parking - park your OHV on bare mineral soil if possible, do not park it in areas of dead, dry grass.
- Exit and check - when possible, drive out on the path you drove in on. This will help you check for fires that may have started.
Image: Stopping during a ride to cleaning off an OHV - using a bucket keeps our streams clean.
FIRE PERMITS
As of March 1, a free permit is required for all burning (except for campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. New penalties now exist for failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer, read more here.
Get started by calling:
- Whitecourt patrolman at 780-778-1590 or
- Whitecourt Fire Centre at 780-778-7272
Learn more about fire permits.
NEW WILDFIRE PROTECTION REGULATIONS IN EFFECT MARCH 31, 2017
Enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act (FPPA) regulations include:
- New penalties for infractions such as leaving a campfire unattended or burning without a permit
- Restrictions on the use of fireworks or exploding targets in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta without written permission from a forest officer
- Improvements to flammable debris disposal and other industry-based requirements
- Activities that interfere with the fighting of a wildfire, such as the unauthorized use of drones near a wildfire, will result in an automatic court appearance
Individuals who knowingly contravene the Forest and Prairie Protection Act by starting a wildfire can be fined up to $100,000 or face imprisonment for up to two years. Read more here.
Industrial users who knowingly contravene the Act and start a wildfire can be fined up to $1 million; learn more here.
See the full announcement or learn more here.
ARE YOU PART OF THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY?
There is the opportunity to have wildfire prevention staff come to your work site and deliver a wildfire prevention presentation. Please contact mike.milner@gov.ab.ca for more information or to set a date and time.
Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be on May 19, 2017.
Shannon Stambaugh
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Mobile: 780-706-5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
