Wildfire Hazard
The wildfire hazard is LOW in the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA). Cool temperatures, light winds and scattered showers are expected. This summer has been dry, a wildfire will burn deep into the ground and will take lots of work to extinguish. Help our firefighters out by not starting one.
Bundle-up and enjoy! If you are out hunting or camping in the forest and having a campfire, never leave it unattended. Make sure your fire is out before you leave it; soak it, stir it and soak it again, it should be cool to the touch. Remember, Mother Nature is not responsible for putting out your fire, you are.
Local Wildfires
September 4, 2015 at 11:00 am
In the last 24 hours, there have been no new wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA
Since April 1, 2015 there have been 87 wildfires that have burned 70.29 hectares. To date, 34 wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA were caused by human activity, meaning almost half of them were preventable!. Please do your part and help prevent wildfires.
Provincial Wildfires
September 4, 2015 at 11:00 am
In the last 24 hours there have been three new wildfires. Alberta currently has 40 wildfires; one is being held, 33 are under control and six have been turned over to the responsible party. Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1,678 wildfires that have burned a total of 491,269.73 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.
Be Wildfire-Smart
Off-highway vehicles 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? Make sure your campfire is fully extinguished before you leave it, even if you are going for a short hike, make sure it is out. Soak it, stir it, soak it again; it should be cool to the touch. Learn more here.
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.
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!
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update September 12, 2015.
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273 | mobile: 780.706.5336
