WILDFIRE HAZARD
The wildfire hazard is LOW for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Passing thunderstorms can produce lightning - starting a wildfire. If you see smoke in the forest call 310-FIRE (3473).
HANDY TIPS WHEN HAVING A CAMPFIRE...
- Select your site - use a designated stove, ring or fire pit if possible. Use sites clear of dry grass, bushes, leave branches and other flammable vegetation.
- Prepare your campfire - have the right tools including a shovel, axe and enough water to fully extinguish your campfire.
- Extinguish your campfire - soak it, stir it, soak it again. When its out, you will not be able to feel any heat or see smoke.
TIPS WHEN USING YOUR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE (OHV)
Grasses, branches and mud can build-up on your OHV, ignite, fall from your machine and start a wildfire. Prevent wildfires by keeping your machine debris free.
WILDFIRE UPDATE
Currently, the Iosegun Lake Wildfire is the only wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Iosegun Lake Wildfire (WWF025)- remains classified as under control. It is 657 hectares in size and has not grown since May 23; there are no open flames within this wildfire. It started at 1:00 p.m. May 15. Firefighters are monitoring the wildfire area with ground and air patrols and will continue until the wildfire is fully extinguished. A map of the wildfire area is here.
To date, there have been 32 wildfires that have burned 671.56 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
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, get the permit process started today by calling: 780-778-7272.
Tip: Check the weather forecast before you burn, do not burn if the wind speed is over 15 kilometres per hour. Learn more about how to prepare a burn site.
ALBERTA FIRE BANS
Fire advisories and restrictions have been issued for parts of southern Alberta. For information on current advisories, restrictions and fire bans in the province, visit the Alberta Fire Ban website at: beta.albertafirebans.ca and/or check local municipale websites for updates.
EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS
For information on how you can prepare yourself for an emergency situation, visit www.aema.alberta.ca/72-hour-emergency-kit. Sign up for the free emergency alert app.
Unless conditions change, your next email update will be on July 15, 2016. For the most current information, check the Alberta Wildfire App for Android or Apple products.
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
email: Shannon.Stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
office: 780-778-7273 | mobile: 780-706-5336
