Whitecourt Area Update

Firefighters Push On; Hard Work Changes Wildfire Status

Posted on Tue, Jul 07, 2015

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Dry conditions continue in the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA); the wildfire hazard is HIGH. This means that wildfires can start easily, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. 

The wind direction is south west at 15 kilometres per hour, we will reach a high of 23 degrees Celsius today with a slight chance of rain.

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SMOKE IN THE AIR

Smoke drifted into the Management Area late yesterday from wildfires burning in High Level and Fort McMurray. Today, the smoke should dissipate and with the change in wind direction, smoke conditions should improve.

If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Find out the latest smoke update here: www.firesmoke.ca.

You can learn more about Alberta's Air Quality Health Index or call 1-877-247-7333. 

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Image: Projected smoke forecast for this afternoon.
Image taken from: Western Canada Smoke Forecast


Local Wildfires

In the last 24 hours, there have been no new wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. As of July 7 at 11am there are three wildfires:

Whitecourt Wildfire number 46 (WWF-046)
Status: This wildfire started July 3, 2015; because of the hard work of firefighters, the status of the wildfire is now UNDER CONTROL at 0.33 hectares in size. 
Location: The wildfire is located just over 14 kilometres northwest of the town of Whitecourt, approximately 6 km west of Highway 32.
Current activity on the wildfire: Firefighters continue to monitor the wildfire, looking for smoldering areas and extinguishing them.

Whitecourt Wildfire number 45 (WWF-045)
Status: The wildfire started July 1, 2015. It is classified as UNDER CONTROL at 32.4 hectares in size. We are expecting no further spread of this wildfire.
Location: The wildfire is 11 kilometres south of the town of Swan Hills, east of Highway 32. It is 3.5 kilometres northeast of the Freeman River Provincial Recreation Area. There are no communities at risk.

Current activity on the wildfire: Today there are seven firefighters and various heavy equipment fighting this wildfire. Firefighters continue using hand tools and pumps to extinguish flame and smoldering areas on the ground, they are being supported by the heavy equipment: working from the exterior of the wildfire to the interior.

Whitecourt Wildfire number 44 (WWF-044)
Status: Under Control at 0.80 hectares in size. It is located just under 50 kilometres west of the town of Fox Creek. We continue to monitor the wildfire, looking for smoldering areas and extinguishing them.

Since April 1, 2015, there have been 46 wildfires which have burned 65.51 hectares.

Provincial Wildfires

In the last 24 hours there have been four new wildfires. As of July 7 at 11am, 93 wildfires. 37 are out of control, 22 are being held, and 34 are under control. Two wildfires have been extinguished within the last 24 hours. For more information click here or download the Alberta Wildfire App for android or apple.

Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded recorded 1,289 wildfires that have burned a total of 375,498.83 hectares.

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Image: Firefighters are continuing the hard work of looking for these smoldering ground fires and extinguishing them. The ground fires above are located within 
the current boundaries of wildfires WWF-044, 45 and 46. 


 

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As of June 26, 2015 the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area is now under a Fire Advisory.

What does this mean?

  • Safe campfires ARE allowed in campgrounds and backcountry or random camping areas.
  • Fire permits are now SUSPENDED and are no longer being issued until conditions change.
Other wildfire management areas within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) and some municipalities (including towns, summer villages, counties or provincial parks) have maintained or issued a new fire advisory, restriction or ban. Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca to ensure that there is not a fire ban or restriction in your area before burning.

How Can You Help? 

If you are using 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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Never leave your campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again to properly extinguish it.

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 8th.

Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
mobile: 780.706.5336

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