Wildfire Hazard
Dry, windy conditions push the wildfire hazard to VERY HIGH in the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA). Under these conditions, fires can grow and escape quickly. Fires that are not properly extinguished will be burning deep into the organic layer (including the roots of trees); wind gusts can fuel a fire making it flare back to life. Don't let this happen to you.
Local Wildfires
August 29, 2015 at 11:00 am
In the last 24 hours, there have been four new wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA:
- Wildfire number 83 (legal land location: 16-12-64-9-W5) is located 20.5 kilometres south east of the town of Swan Hills; 4.5 kilometres south west of Highway 33. The wildfire is under control at 0.01 hecatres in size. Firefighters are monitoring the wildfire.
- Wildfire number 84 (legal land location: 14-35-58-15-W5) is located 28 kilometers south west of the town of Whitecourt; 17.5 kilometres south of Highway 43 in the Groat Creek area. The wildfire is under control at 0.40 hectares size. Nine firefighters are working to extinguish smoldering areas within the perimeter of the fire.
- Wildfire number 85 (legal land location: 4-18-59-14-W5) was extinguished yesterday. It was located 4 kilometres north of Wildfire number 84. The wildfire grew to 0.01 hectares size.
- Wildfire number 86 (legal land location: 4-26-64-18-W5) is located 18 kilometres north east of the town of Fox Creek. The wildfire is under control at 0.01 hectares size. Five firefighters and heavy equipment are working to extinguish areas of smoldering ground within the perimeter of the fire.
Image: Whitecourt Wildfire number 82 caused by lightning.
Since April 1, 2015 there have been 86 wildfires that have burned 70.23 hectares.
Provincial Wildfires
August 29, 2015 at 11:00 am
Alberta currently has 40 wildfires, one is classified as being held, 38 are under control and one has been turned over to the responsible party.
Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1,659 wildfires that have burned a total of 490,909.33 hectares. For more information, please visit the wildfire status map on our website at: www.wildfire.alberta.ca; or you can download the Alberta Wildfire App for android or apple products.
Smoke in the Air
Smoke from wildfires burning in the United States will continue to drift into the Whitecourt WMA. If you have smoke-related health concerns please contact Alberta Health Link by dialing 811 or visit their website at: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/11378.asp.
Weather
Over the weekend, temperatures will remain close to 20 degrees Celsius; winds are forecast to be gusting above 20 kilometres per hour at times. Scattered thunderstorms are expected; meaning the chance for a lighting-started wildfire continues. If you see smoke in the forest call 310-FIRE (3473).
Image: Sunny August day in the Whitecourt WMA.
Fire Permits
BEFORE YOU BURN IT, GET YOUR PERMIT
If you want to do any burning, excluding campfires within the Forest Protection Area (FPA); you need to get a fire permit:
- Fire permits are free. To get the process started call 780-778-7272.
- Please call a week in advance of when you would like to burn in order to give our staff time to make arrangements to come out to your site and issue your permit.
- Fore efficiency, please have your site ready according to the burning site guidelines. before staff arrive. For your safety, a site visit is required in most cases.
- All permits must be completely extinguished before they expire, if you need more information make sure to ask.
Alberta Fire Bans
The Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area does not have a fire ban, restriction or advisory in place. This means in most parts of the Whitecourt WMA, safe campfires and burning are allowed at this time.
Other management areas within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) and some municipalities (including towns, summer villages, counties or provincial parks) have a fire advisory, restriction or ban in place. Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca to ensure that there is not a fire ban or restriction in your area before burning.
Local Representative Workshops
YOU ARE INVITED! Workshops have have been developed to help community leaders and fire professionals become familiar with and implement all components of the FireSmart Community Recognition Program. Learn more here.
Oct. 21-22, 2105 Lac La Biche
Date: Wednesday October 21 and Thursday October 22 (8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Location: Lakeland Agricom, 13412 Hwy 881, Lac La Biche County, Alberta
Register now!
Oct. 27 to 28, 2015 County of Grande Prairie No. 1
Date: Tuesday October 27 – Wednesday October 28 (8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Location: Evergreen Park, 55051 Twp Rd 710, County of Grande Prairie No. 1 (3 ½ kilometres south along Resources Road)
Register now!
Be Wildfire-Smart
Off-highway vehicles can start wildfires. Take the time to remove the buildup of grass, branches or other debris from your machine. This material can ignite, fall from your machine and start a wildfire. Areas of most concern include: exhaust and muffler systems, wheel wells, under the seat and in the engine and manifold systems. Learn more here.
Having a Campfire? With the forecast wind gusts, an unattended campfire is likely to escape, growing into a wildfire fire quickly. Make sure your campfire is fully extinguished, even if you are going for a short hike, make sure your campfire is out. Learn more here.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update August 31, 2015.
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273 | mobile: 780.706.5336
