Wildfire Hazard
Rain has reduced the wildfire hazard to MODERATE for the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA). The lack of rain over the last few months has dried the forest. If a wildfire starts, it will burn deep into the ground and takes a lot of work to put out. Please do your part; be careful to not start a wildfire while working or recreating in the forest.
Weather
A high of 14 degrees Celsius today for the Whitecourt WMA, the wind direction will be north west at 25 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 50 kilometres in the afternoon. Thunderstorm activity is expected to continue this evening, meaning the risk of lightning started wildfires remains high. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Images from Whitecourt Wildfire number 065. This wildfire was started by lighting.
Local Wildfires (July 16, 2015 @ 11:00am)
In the last 24 hours, there have been two new wildfires which have both been extinguished. There are six wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. All of the wildfires are under control; meaning no further spread of the wildfires are expected. Here are the details:
- Whitecourt Wildfire (WWF) number 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 050 is under control at 0.42 hectares in size, it is located 30 kilometres north east of the town of Fox Creek.
- WWF 051 is under control at 0.38 hectares in size. Located 3 kilometres west of Freeman Lake; over 10 kilometres west of the town of Swan Hills.
- 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 062 is under control 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.
- WWF 063 is under control 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.
Our firefighters continue to monitor these wildfires, looking for smoldering areas and will soak them, stir them and soak it again until there is no heat or smoke; extinguishing them. Since April 1, 2015, there have been 65 wildfires which have burned 67.54 hectares.
Provincial Wildfires (July 16, 2015 @ 11:00am)
In the last 24 hours there have been 17 new wildfires. Alberta currently has 101 wildfires; 14 are out of control, 36 are being held, 51 are under control. Seven wildfires have been extinguished within the last 24 hours.
Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1,440 wildfires that have burned a total of 490,536.23 hectares. For more infromation,please visit our wildfire status map on our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca. Or you can download the Alberta Wildfire App for android or apple products.
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.
How Can You Help?
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.
Having a 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.
