New Wildfire Within the Town of Whitecourt

Wildfire Update

Whitecourt Forest Area | April 26 @ 6:00p.m.

Currently, there are no wildfires in the area. Firefighters are assisting other municipalities outside of the Forest Protection Area with four wildfires:

Whitecourt Area Wildfire (WTO-001) is located within the boundaries of the Town of Whitecourt. Assistance was requested by the Town of Whitecourt at 4:30 p.m today, April 26. Currently, 18 firefighters, 6 pieces of heavy equipment and 3 helicopters are assisting with this wildfire. For more information on this wildfire, watch the Town's FaceBook Page and listen to local media for updates.
Mayerthorpe Area Wildfire (WCU-004) is located approximately 2 kilometres south west of the town ofMayerthorpe. Assistance was requested by Lac Ste. Anne County at approximately 3:00p.m. April 26. Currently, four firefighters, one helicopter andairtankers are assisting on this wildfire.
- Alberta Emergency Alert : "There is a serious trestle fire affecting Lac Ste. Anne County North West of the Town of Mayerthorpe. Any residents in Sections 32, 33 and 28 of Township 57 Range 8 West of the Fifth Meridian, please be prepared for evacuation with one hour notice. Visit www. l s a c. c a for updates.
  
  Roads have been closed at the Greencourt Road and Highway 22, and Range Road 85 North of the Greencourt Road. Please use alternate routes...a reception centre located at the Diamond Centre within the Town of Mayerthorpe [has been established]. Go to the website at www. lsac. cafor a map of the affected area and updated information." - Alberta Emergency Alert
  
  For more information on this wildfire, contact Lac Ste. Anne County at 780-785-3411 or 1-866-880-5722.

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, 79 firefighters and one helicopter 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 nine firefighters assisting with this wildfire.

To date, there have been 13 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area which have burned 7.25 hectares. At this time last year, there had been 6 wildfires and no requests for assistance from near-by municipalities. Please do your part and help prevent wildfires. Learn more about off-highway vehicles and campfires.

For information on wildfires across the province, visit Wildfire.Alberta.ca To learn about Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca.

Wildfire Hazard

Cooler temperatures and scattered rain showers over the past day reduced the wildfire hazard to MODERATE for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Today, temperatures will remain around 15 degrees Celsius, wind will be south east at 15 kilometres per hour. There is no rain in the forecast until later in the week. Until there is a significant amount of rain on the ground the forest remains dry.

Areas of dry grass and branches pose the most significant risk of wildfire. Wildfire in these areas will start easily and spread quickly.

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

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, and you want to do some burning call: 780-778-7272.