Cooler temperatures and rain have reduced the wildfire hazard in the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WMA) to MODERATE.

The fire ban has been removed for much of the province. Due to the hard work of firefighters, cooler wet weather and your help! Thank you to each and everyone of you for abiding by the fire ban. You helped us focus our firefighters, aircraft and equipment on new wildfire starts. Because of this, we were also able to move some of them around the province to help with large wildfires including LLB-122 and LLB-126. Read about the current wildfires here.

Fire bans and restrictions still remain in place for the north and east parts of the province. Jurisdictions outside the Forest Protection Area (FPA), including municipalities and provincial parks, may issue their own fire restrictions or bans. Please check albertafirebans.ca daily for detailed information about restrictions and locations.

Fire Permits

A fire permit is required for all fires, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area. A permit is issued depending on type of material being burnt and site conditions. To start the process of getting your free fire permit call 780-778-7272.

All permit holders must check their permit conditions. If you are not burning under permit conditions, you can be fined up to $5,000 and held liable for all firefighting suppression costs under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act.

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Local Wildfires June 2 (1000hrs)

There are no wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. Since April 1, 2015, there have been 30 wildfires which have burned 26.39 hectares.

Provincial Wildfires

Currently, there are has 35 wildfires. Five are out of control, five are being held, 24 are under control and one has been turned over to the responsible party.

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) @ 3,950 ha, HWF-130 OC @ 196.4 ha, HWF-131 Being Held @ 25.1 ha HWF-132 OC @ 951 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 310 firefighters and 16 helicopters fighting this 31,334 hectare wildfire. Area update

o LWF-126 also known as the Pony Creek Fire is considered out of control and is located approximately 18 km north of Conklin. There are 73 firefighters and 12 helicopters fighting this 2,980 hectare wildfire.

Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 764 wildfires that have burned a total of 50,369.84 hectares.

What can you do to help?

If you are using an an Off-highway Vehicle during your day, periodically stop and check your vehicle for the build up of grass, branches or debris. This material can catch fire and drop from your vehicle as you drive; acting like a drip-torch it can start a wildfire. Learn more here.

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Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update June 5th.

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Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer

Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273
mobile: 780.706.5336

Whitecourt Area Update

Fire Ban Removed - What Burning is Allowed?

Fire Permits

Local Wildfires June 2 (1000hrs)

Provincial Wildfires

What can you do to help?

Subscribe to Whitecourt Area Updates

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