Whitecourt Area Update

Firefighters Dig Deep as Weather Trend Continues | Whitecourt Forest Area

Posted on Sun, May 01, 2016

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Wildfire Update

Wildfire Update | May 1 @ 10:00 a.m.

In the last 24 hours, there were two new wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area, both have been turned over to the responsible party. One other wildfire remains the the Area:

  • Anselmo Area Wildfire (WWF-014) started on April 28 and remains UNDER CONTROL at 1.50 hecatres in size.  It is located just over 12 kilometres west of the Town of Mayerthorpe. Firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire until it is extinguished.

Firefighters are assisting other municipalities outside of the Forest Protection Area with two wildfires: 

      • Duffield Area Wildfires (WCU-001/WIR-001)  these two wildfires are located in the area of Duffield, Alberta. Assistance was requested by both Parkland County and Wabamun Indian Reserve No. 133A on April 17. Currently, 80 firefighters are assisting with these wildfires.
         
      • Onoway Area Wildfire (WCU-002) is located approximately 24 kilometres north west of St. Albert, Alberta.  Assistance was requested at 10:00 pm on April 18 by Lac Ste. Anne County. There are 25 firefighters assisting with this wildfire. It is burning deep into the peat layer that is in the area. Firefighters are using chainsaws and shovels to dig up, soak and stir the burning material, working to extinguish this wildfire.

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Image: Top Left - Chainsaw having a rest from cutting into the ground. Right - Firefighters in a deep pit, soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. Bottom Left - Profile of the deep layer of organic material that is allowing the wildfire to burn deep into the ground.
 
To date, there have been 16 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area which have burned 8.77 hectares. Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are strategically located across the Area to quickly respond to any new wildfires.
Provincial Update | May 1 @ 10:00 a.m.
  • In the last 24 hours there have been 12 new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
  • There are currently 26 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Two are considered out of control, one is being held, nine are under control and 14 have been turned over to the responsible party.
  • PWF-024 is considered out of control at 107.0 hectares and is located approximately 13 kilometres south west of Dixonville. 20 firefighters, four aircraft and four pieces of heavy equipment are fighting this wildfire.
  • SWF-030 is considered out of control at 455.0 hectares and is located approximately 45 kilometres north west of Red Earth. Eight firefighters and five aircraft are fighting this wildfire.
  • Since April 1, 2016, Alberta has recorded 281 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 843.86 hectares.
  • In the last 24 hours, Agriculture and Forestry provided assistance with one wildfire outside the Forest Protection Area.
  • Agriculture and Forestry is currently assisting with five wildfires outside the Forest Protection Area.

For information on wildfires across the province visit wildfire.alberta.ca.

 

Wildfire Hazard 

Warm temperatures and lack of rain, keep the wildfire hazard at VERY HIGH for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Today, we are expected to reach a high of 23 degrees Celsius, wind will be south west in direction at 15 kilometres per hour. There is no rain  in the forecast for the coming week; 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.

 

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Fire Advisory in Effect 

Due to the warm, dry weather trend, a Fire Advisory is in place for the Whitecourt Forest Area

  • Current Fire Permits are cancelled, except for those issued for seasonal burn barrels and incinerators. Please check the conditions of your permit before you burn.

  • No new permits will be issued until conditions change.

  • Safe campfires are still allowed but are not recommended until weather conditions change.

The Advisory will remain in place until conditions improve. If you have questions about Fire Permits within the Whitecourt Forest Area, call 780-778-7272. 

Burning activities may become restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. For more information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca.

Learn more about the Fire Ban System and how it is used to notify you of potential impacts for burning or camping.

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If you have health concerns regarding smoke inhalation from a wildfire, check Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24 hour health advice.

For a smoke forecast map, please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada..

 

Call 310-FIRE(3473) if you see smoke in the forest.

 

Be Wildfire-Aware...

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Unless conditions change, you can expect your next update on May 2, 2016.

 
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
office: 780-778-7273 | mobile: 780-706-5336
 
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