Due to the extreme fire hazard in northern Alberta, a province-wide Fire Ban has been declared. All existing Fire Permits are canceled and no new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve.
Wildfire Hazard
The wildfire hazard for the Whitecourt Forest Area remains at EXTREME. A wildfire can start quickly and spread extremely fast. This type of wildfire will burn intensely and will spread fast making it difficult and dangerous to bring under control.
The forecast for Monday and Tuesday is for cool and more humid conditions with brisk winds.
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.
The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands within the province of Alberta are being restricted to help prevent the spread of wildfires.
- If Albertans are witnessing restricted OHV activities they can call the Report a Poacher Line at 1-800-642-3800.
- For more information you can visit emergency.alberta.ca.
Are You Working With Heavy Equipment?
Under the extreme wildfire hazard and current Fire Ban, there are steps you can take in your day-to-day operations to help prevent a wildfire:
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 the work 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 8 @ 11:30 a.m. Shannon Stambaugh is off until Wednesday May 11, 2016. Please contact Tanis Blocka at 780-516-1347 or tanis.blocka@gov.ab.ca if you require any further information regarding the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Currently, there are no wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Since April 1, 2016 there have been 19 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area that have burned 9.16 hectares.
For more information about wildfires across the province visit wildfire.alberta.ca.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next update on May 9, 2016.
