se caution when working or recreating in our forests.
What's new? The FIRE BAN remains in place for the Whitecourt WMA and most of northern Alberta but the province is removing the FIRE BAN in Southern Alberta's forests. It will remain in place north of the Brazeau River area. Visit albertafirebans.ca for detailed map and description.
Why is there a HIGH wildfire hazard and Fire Ban still in place for Whitecourt WMA? The Fire Bans is in place for your protection.Conditions across our wildfire management area are vaired but overall, our forested areas are very dry and it will take a lot of rain, lasting for a number of days to reverse the dry trend we are in. If tree roots and downed trees catch fire, they will smolder or burn deep in the soil. These wildfires are hard to find because they are underground or smoldering with no open flame. Under strong winds, these fires get more oxygen, allowing them to grow and spread quickly into a wildfire.
Remember: no outdoor fires are permitted at this time.
We can not control the weather but we can control the start of a fire. Please do not do any burning at this time. We truly appreciate your cooperation. Abiding by the fire ban helps keep our firefighters free to fight new wildfire starts.
What is prohibited?
All open fires are banned, including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry, random camping areas and shelters with wood-burning stoves. This includes charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
What is allowed?
Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves that have propane as the main fuel source (i.e. propane stoves that ignite a wood fire are prohibited) and barbeques (not charcoal briquettes) designed for cooking or heating, and catalytic or infrared-style heaters.
Are fire permits allowed?
No. All fire permits are suspended or canceled in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area and no new fire permits will be issued.
What does this mean for industry members?
A fire ban means no industrial burning (brush piles, windrows, slash piles). Continue to abide by your Industrial Wildfire Control Plan. Suspend all non-essential flaring.
Wildfire Update May 29 (1000hrs)
Currently, there are no wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. Since April 1, 2015, there have been 30 wildfires in the WWMA which have burned 26.39 hectares.
There are 42 wildfires burning in Alberta: 10 are out of control, nine are being held, 23 are under control.
Provincial wildfires of note
o Buffalo Head Hills Complex Fires; a group of four fires that started on May 25 due to lighting (HWF-127 Out of Control (OC) @ 1720 ha, HWF-130 OC @ 193 ha, HWF-131 Being Held @ 23.7 ha HWF-132 OC @ 902 ha). Area update
o LWF-122 also known as the Burnt Lake Fire is considered out of control and is located approximately 40 km north of Cold Lake in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. There are 253 firefighters, 16 helicopters and two airtankers fighting this 27,460 hectare wildfire. Area update
o LWF-126 also known as the Pony Creek Fire is considered out of control and is located approximately 22 km north of Conklin. There are 53 firefighters and nine helicopters fighting this 3,090 hectare wildfire.
Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 748 wildfires that have burned a total of 43,281.88 hectares.
Fire Bans or Restrictions in the Area
What can you do to help?
Questions? contact me. Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update June 1st.
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Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273
mobile: 780.706.5336