Warm and dry conditions continue in the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA). Winds will be north at 30 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 50km/hr. We will reach a high of 19 degrees Celsius today with no rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours.
Smoke in the air
Many wildfires are burning north of the Management Area. Smoke has been drifting into the area from the wildfires burning in High Level and Fort McMurray areas.
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.
Local Wildfires (information current as of July 4, 11am)
There are three wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA:
Whitecourt Wildfire number 46 (WWF-046)
Status: BEING HELD at 0.33 hectares in size. NO growth has happened on this wildfire since it first started last night at 8pm. There are no communities threatened by this wildfire.
Location: The wildfire is located just over 14 kilometres northwest of the town of Whitecourt, approximately 6 km west of Highway 32.
The wildfire started just before 8pm last night, four helicopters and airtankers worked on the wildfire until crews were able to safely enter the area. There was no growth on the wildfire last night. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, a Firegaurd has been established around the perimetre of the wildfire.
Today nine firefighters, 2 helicopters and various heavy equipment will look for smoldering areas within the wildfire and extinguish them.
Image: (above) WWF-046 last night at 8pm. The wildfire is now being held; the wildfire
is not expected to grow past its current boundaries; (below) firefighters working on the wildfire yesterday.
Whitecourt Wildfire number 45 (WWF-045)
Status: Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, the status of the wildfire has now changed to BEING HELD at 36.7 hectares in size.
Location: The wildfire continues to be 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.
Today there are 19 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. They will continue to work from the exterior of the wildfire to the interior.
Images: (above) Work being done on WWF-045; (below) a map of the area the wildfire
is outlined in red, in the bottom right corner
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 69.83 hectares.
Provincial Wildfires
In the last 24 hours there have been 11 new wildfires. Alberta currently has 129 wildfires. Alberta currently has 121 wildfires. 52 are out of control, 18 are being held, 50 are under control and one has been turned over to the responsible party. Three 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 1,272 wildfires that have burned a total of 312,674.53 hectares.
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.
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.
Never leave your campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again to properly extinguish it.
Visit us on Facebook, Twitter or download our Alberta Wildfire App for android and apple products
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 5th.
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
mobile: 780.706.5336