Wildfire Update
Whitecourt Forest Area Update | May 9 @ 11:30 a.m.
Shannon Stambaugh is off until May 11, 2016, if you require any information regarding the Whitecourt Forest Area please contact Tanis Blocka at 780-516-1347 or tanis.blocka@gov.ab.ca.
On May 8, 2016 there were four new fire starts in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Thanks to the quick response by the local fire departments and Alberta wildfire, two of the fires are considered to be extinguished and two are under control.
- WWF-022 - started May 8 and is located approximately 16 km SW of Swan Hills. No structures or communities are under threat. The wildfire is UNDER CONTROL at 0.15 ha. Helicopters and ground crews were dispatched to assess and fight the wildfire.
- WWF-023 - started May 8 and is located 2.5 km north of Goose Lake. No structures or communities are under threat. The wildfire is UNDER CONTROL at 0.42 ha. Helicopters, ground crews and heavy equipment were deployed to assess and fight the wildfire.
Firefighters will continue to monitor both fires until they are extinguished.
Since April 1, 2016 there have been 23 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area that have burned 9.85 hectares.
For more information about wildfires across the province visit wildfire.alberta.ca.
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
Even with the cooling temperatures 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 Tuesday and Wednesday is for cool temperatures below seasonal normal. The winds on Tuesday should be easterly at around 15-20. There is the potential for smoke from the Fort McMurray fires to start entering the area on Wednesday.
Smoke in the Air
- If you have health concerns regarding smoke inhalation from a wildfire, check Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24 hour health advice.
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 Albertan's 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.
