Wildfire Update
Wildfire Update | May 3 @ 10:00 a.m.
There are four wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Two have been turned over to the responsible party. Two other wildfires remain the the Area:
- Whitecourt Airport Area Wildfire (WWF-018) started May 2 and is located on the north-side of the Whitecourt Airport runway, just under 3 kilometres west of the Town of Whitecourt. No structures or communites are under threat. The wildfire is UNDER CONTROL at 0.37 hectares in size. Initially, firefighters from the Town of Whitecourt were assisting our firefighters, along with helicopters. Today, nine Alberta Agriculture and Forestry firefighters will continue to work hard until it is extinguished.
- Anselmo Area Wildfire (WWF-014) started on April 28 and remains UNDER CONTROL at 1.50 hectares in size. It is located just over 12 kilometres west of the Town of Mayerthorpe. Firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire until it is extinguished.
Image: May 2, firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment working on the Whitecourt Airport Area Wildfire (WWF-018), located on the north-side of the Whitecourt Airport.
Firefighters are assisting other municipalities outside of the Forest Protection Area with two wildfires:
- 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, 41 firefighters are 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. It is burning deep into the peat layer that is in the area. Firefighters are using chainsaws and shovels to dig up, soak and stir the burning material, working to extinguish this wildfire.
Wildfire Hazard
Warm temperatures and lack of rain, push the wildfire hazard to EXTREME for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Today, we are expected to reach a high of 28 degrees Celsius, wind will be south east in direction at 15 kilometres per hour. There is no rain in the forecast for the coming week; a significant amount of water on the ground is needed for the forest to recover from the current dry conditions.
Areas of dry grass and branches pose the most significant risk of wildfire. Wildfire in these areas will start easily and spread quickly, making it very hard for firefighters to control.
Off-Highway Vehicles Can Start Wildfires
Did you know that an off-highway vehicles' exhaust system can heat up high enough to fry an egg? If it can cook an egg, it will start grass and dry vegetation on fire.
We are recommending to not using your off-highway vehicle until there is rain on the ground for an extended period of time.
Fire Advisory in Effect
Due to the warm, dry weather trend a Fire Advisory is in place for the Whitecourt Forest Area.
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Current Fire Permits are canceled, except for those issued for seasonal burn barrels and incinerators. Please check the conditions of your permit before you burn.
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No new permits will be issued until conditions change.
- Safe campfires are still allowed but are not recommended until weather conditions change.
The Advisory will remain in place until conditions improve. If you have questions about Fire Permits within the Whitecourt Forest Area, call 780-778-7272.
Burning activities may become restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. For more information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca.
Learn more about the Fire Ban System and how it is used to notify you of potential impacts for burning or camping.
For information on wildfires across the province visit wildfire.alberta.ca.
Smoke in the Air
If you have health concerns regarding smoke inhalation from a wildfire, check Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24 hour health advice.
For a smoke forecast map, please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next update on May 4, 2016.
