Smoke remains in the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA). Despite some rain in the area, continued warm temperatures leave the wildfire hazard HIGH. Anyone with smoke-related health concerns is encouraged to contact Alberta Health Link by calling 811. Smoke forecasts can be found here.
Thunderstorm activity is expected to continue. The risk of lightning started wildfires remains high. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Local Wildfires
As of July 13, 2015 at 3:00pm, no communities are at risk from wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. Currently, there are 13 wildfires, seven of these started in the last 24 hours (listed in red below).
Changes since 11:00am today, have been made in italics.
- WWF 044 started June 27, 2015 and is under control; which means that no further spread of the wildfire is expected. It is 0.80 hectares in size and it is located 50 kilometres west of the town of Fox Creek.
- WWF 045 started July 1, 2015 and is under control at 32.38 hectares in size. We are expecting no further spread of this wildfire. It is 11 kilometres south of the town of Swan Hills, east of Highway 32.
- WWF 046 started July 3, 2015 and is under control at 0.33 hectares in size. It is located just over 14 kilometres north west of the town of Whitecourt, 6 kilometres west of Highway 32.
- WWF 050 is under control at 0.42 hectares in size. Located 30 kilometres north east of the town of Fox Creek. There are 12 firefighters, one helicopter and various pieces of heavy equipment that are fighting this wildfire.
- WWF 051 is being held at 0.38 hectares in size. Located 3 kilometres west of Freeman Lake; over 10 kilometres west of the town of Swan Hills. Six firefighters and various heavy equipment are fighting this wildfire.
- WWF 052 has been extinguished at 0.03 hectares in size. It was located 2 kilometres north east of WWF 050.
- WWF 054 has been extinguished at 0.02 hectares in size. It was located in the Horse Creek Area (80 kilometres southeast of the town of Fox Creek).
- WWF 056 is under control at 0.04 hectares in size. It is located located 1.5 kilometres north west of WWF 054.
- WWF 057 is under control at 0.02 hectares in size. It is located 1.5 kilometres north west of WWF 054.
- WWF 059 is under control at 0.05 hectares in size. It is located 18 kilometres east of Highway 32, just over 30 kilometres south east of the town of Swan Hills.
- WWF 061 is under control at 0.01 hectares in size. It is located 7 kilometres north east of Holmes Crossing Sandhills.
- WWF 062 is being held at 0.40 hectares in size. It is located just under 8 kilometres north of Highway 43; 19 kilometres east of the town of Fox Creek. Three firefighters and one helicopter are fighting this wildfire.
- WWF 063 is being held at 0.50 hectares in size, It is located just over 17 kilometres east of Highway 32; 26 kilometres north east of the town of Whitecourt. Twelve firefighters, two helicopters and various heavy equipment are fighting this wildfire.
We are not expecting any significant growth on these wildfires. Since April 1, 2015, there have been 63 wildfires which have burned 67.52 hectares.
Provincial Wildfires
Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1,395 wildfires that have burned a total of 482,831.45 hectares.
Please visit our wildfire status map on our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App for more information on what is happening throughout the province.
Clean Your Ride
Off-highway vehicles can start wildfires. While riding, stop frequently to check your vehicle for the build up of grass, branches or other debris. Safely remove the debris from your machine. 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.
Put Out Your Campfire
Make sure your campfire is fully extinguished. A campfire can burn deep into the ground and flare up again in dry or windy weather. Soak the ashes and stir them. Keep soaking the ashes until they are cool to the touch. Even if you are going for a short hike, make sure your campfire is out. Learn more here.
The Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area is 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.
Other wildfire management areas within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) and some municipalities (including towns, summer villages, counties or provincial parks) have maintained or issued a new fire advisory, restriction or ban.
Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca to learn more.
