Whitecourt Area Update

What Does A Wildland Firefighters' Day Look Like - Fire Advisory In Effect

Posted on Tue, Jun 09, 2015

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Another warm day! There is a sever thrunderstorm watch issued by Environment Canada at 1250hrs today. We will reach a maximum temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, the wind will be west at 10km/hr. The wildfire hazard for the  Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WMA) is VERY HIGH.
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photo: just a regular day for our firefighters, read more here.

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Fire Advisory Issued

A fire advisory is in effect. Strong winds and dry, warm conditions cause wildfire to start quickly and grow fast. For your safety all fire permits are suspended. No new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve. 

Safe campfires are currently allowed, but may be restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. For more information please call 780-778-7272.

In most parts of the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area, safe campfires are allowed at this time. Other jurisdictions outside the Forest Protection Area (FPA) along with towns, summer villages, counties and provincial parks, may have issued fire restrictions or bans.  Find out more  at albertafirebans.ca.

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YOU NEED TO KNOW a fire restriction remains in place for the north and east parts of the province. Is your favorite camping spot affected? Check albertafirebans.ca.

 

Local Wildfires (June 10)

Currently, there are no wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. Below is an image of WWF-035 that is now extinguished, this was a lighting fire. If you see smoke in the forest, help our crews respond quickly by calling 310-FIRE.

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Since April 1, 2015, there have been 38 wildfires which have burned 26.96 hectares.

Provincial Wildfires

Alberta currently has 32 wildfires. Three are out of control, five are being held, 21 are under control and three have been turned over to the responsible party       

Provincial wildfires of note:

  •         EWF-054 is considered out of control and is located approximately 40 km south of Grande Cache. There are seven firefighters and six helicopters fighting this 841 hectare wildfire. Area Update     
    • LWF-122 also known as the Burnt Lake Wildfire is being held and is located approximately 40 kilometres north of Cold Lake in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. There are 328 firefighters, 15 helicopters and 50 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this 31,997 hectare wildfire.
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    •          HWF-157 also known as the Harper Creek Wildfire is considered out of control and is located approximately 18 kilometres south of Fox Lake. There are 41 firefighters and five helicopters are fighting this 6,500 hectare wildfire.
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Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 843 wildfires that have burned a total of 78,608.45 hectares.

Ask A Firefighter!

Ever wanted to ask a wildland firefighter a question? Here's your chance, send me an email and we will try to get it answered for you! Here's today's question and answer:

How do you properly put out a campfire? 
Here's the answer in this short video!

 

 

If you are using an 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.

OHV_cleaningUnless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update June 11th.

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Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
mobile: 780.706.5336