Wildfire Hazard
Rain keeps the wildfire hazard at LOW for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Firefighters still need your help in preventing wildfires. Click on the images below to learn more.
In the last 24 hours there was one new wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area caused by lighting. Thanks to the quick response and hard work of firefighters, it was extinguished at 0.01 hectares in size. Currently, the Iosegun Lake Wildfire is the only wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Iosegun Lake Wildfire (WWF025)- Started at 1:00 p.m. May 15. As of May 23, the wildfire remains classified as UNDER CONTROL. It has not grown and will stay 657 hectares in size - there are no open flames within this wildfire. Firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire area with ground and air patrols until the wildfire is fully extinguished. A map of the wildfire area is here.
To date, there have been 30 wildfires that have burned 671.55 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Firefighters, heavy equipment, helicopters and airtankers are strategically positioned to fight any new wildfires that start.
Image: Local firefighters working together with municipal firefighters in the Fort McMurray Forest Area last week. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters and the rain, the Horse River Wildfire is now being held.
Fire Permits
Help firefighters by getting a fire permit. Avoid a false alarm and make sure firefighters are where they are needed - not in your backyard.
A fire permit is required for any burning (except campfires) within the Forest Protection Area. If you are in the Whitecourt Forest Area, get the permit process started today by calling: 780-778-7272.
Alberta Fire Bans
You can have a campfire and use your off-highway vehicle in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Municipalities or provincial parks may have their own advisory or restriction or ban in place, check the Alberta Fire Ban website.
72 Hour Emergency Prepardness Kit
In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. The wildfire emergency preparedness guide is here. To learn more about emergency preparedness, visit GetPrepared.ca. You can also download the Alberta Emergency Alert App for Android or Apple products.
Unless conditions change, your next update will be on June 24, 2016
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
email: Shannon.Stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
office: 780-778-7273 | mobile: 780-706-5336
