Warm and dry conditions continue in the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA). Winds will be north at north west at 10 kilometres per hour switching to a south east direction later in the day. We will reach a high of 21 degrees Celsius today; there is a slight chance of rain.
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 the 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 5, 11am)
There are three wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA:
Whitecourt Wildfire number 46 (WWF-046)
Status: This wildfire started July 3, 2015. No growth has happened on this wildfire and it si currenlty classified as BEING HELD at 0.33 hectares in size. 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.
Currently activity on the wildfire: A Firegaurd was been established around the entire perimetre of the wildfire and has been maintained.Today, six firefighters continue to use hand tools, hoses and pumps to work from the exterior to the interior of the wildfire, extinguishing smoldering areas as they move (see image below).
Whitecourt Wildfire number 45 (WWF-045)
Status: The wildfire started July 1, 2015. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, late yesterday afternoon, the status of the wildfire was changed to UNDER CONTROL at 32.4 hectares in size.
Location: The wildfire is 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: working from the exterior of the wildfire to the interior.
Images: (above) Work being done yesterday on WWF-045; (below) a map of the area the wildfire
is outlined in red, located 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 65.51 hectares.
Provincial Wildfires
In the last 24 hours there have been seven new wildfires. Alberta currently has 129 wildfires. Alberta currently has 115 wildfires. 45 are out of control, 17 are being held, 52 are under control and one has been turned over to the responsible party. Five 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 1,279 wildfires that have burned a total of 383, 491.95 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.
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download our Alberta Wildfire App for android and apple products
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 6th.
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
mobile: 780.706.5336