Whitecourt Area Update

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard for the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA) is HIGH. Gusting winds are expected over the weekend, under these conditions wildfires can start and grow quickly.

Local Wildfires 
August 28, 2015 at 11:00 am

In the last 24 hours, there was one new wildfire in the Whitecourt WMA. Whitecourt Wildfire 82 (Legal Land Location: 15-20-64-10-W5) was quickly extinguished by the hard work of firefighters.

Since April 1, 2015 there have been 82 wildfires that have burned 69.80 hectares.

Provincial Wildfires 

August 28, 2015 at 11:00 am

There have been two new wildfires in the last 24 hours. Alberta currently has 41 wildfires. Two are being held, 37 are under control and two have been turned over to the responsible party. One wildfire has been extinguished in the last 24 hours.  

Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1,653 wildfires that have burned a total of 490,908.79 hectares. For more information, please visit the wildfire status map on our website atwww.wildfire.alberta.ca; or you can download the Alberta Wildfire App for android or apple products. 

Smoke in the Air

Smoke from wildfires burning in the United States will continue to drift into the Whitecourt WMA. If you have smoke-related health concerns please contact Alberta Health Link by dialing 811 or visit their website at: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/11378.asp.

Weather

Over the weekend, temperatures will remain close to 20 degrees Celsius; winds are forecast to be gusting above 20 kilometres per hour at times. Scattered thunderstorms are expected; meaning the chance for a lighting-started wildfire continues. If you see smoke in the forest call 310-FIRE (3473).

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.
  
  

Alberta Fire Bans    

The Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area does not have a fire ban, restriction or advisory in place. This means in most parts of the Whitecourt WMA, safe campfires and burning are allowed at this time.

Other management areas within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) and some municipalities (including towns, summer villages, counties or provincial parks) have a fire advisory, restriction or ban in place. Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca to ensure that there is not a fire ban or restriction in your area before burning.

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

Location:  Lakeland Agricom, 13412 Hwy 881, Lac La Biche County, Alberta

Registration page: https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/events/register-now-local-firesmart-representative-workshop-lac-la-biche-alberta

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)

Registration page: https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/events/register-now-local-firesmart-representative-workshop-grande-prairie-albert

Be Wildfire-Smart

Off-highway vehicles can 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? With the forecast wind gusts, an unattended campfire is likely to escape, growing into a wildfire fire quickly. Make sure your campfire is fully extinguished, even if you are going for a short hike, make sure your campfire is out. Learn more here.

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update September 4, 2015.