WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
Today the wind will be north west in direction at 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 35 kilometres per hour. Even though the wind will be strong, significant amounts of rain over the past few days keeps the wildfire hazard at low for the Whitecourt Forest Area.
It is recommended that you do not burn when the wind speed exceeds 15 kilometres per hour. If you have a fire permit, check the conditions on your permit.
WILDFIRE SITUATION UPDATE
There are zero active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been nine wildfires that have burned 0.33 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfire.alberta.ca.
FIRE PERMITS
As of March 1, a free fire permit is required for all burning (except for campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Get started by calling:
- Whitecourt patrolman at 780-778-1590 or
- Whitecourt Fire Centre at 780-778-7272
As of March 31, 2017 new penalties now exist for failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer, read more here.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES CAN START WILDFIRES
Exhaust systems can heat up to temperatures in excess of 204 degrees Celsius - hot enough to fry an egg, melt your pants or start a wildfire. At these temperatures, grass, moss, branches or other debris that have built up on your machine can heat up, smoulder and ignite - falling off the machine and start a wildfire.
Prevent a wildfire with these easy tips:
- Remove debris - keeping your machine debris free by checking it before, during and after a ride.
- Strategic parking - park your OHV on bare mineral soil if possible, do not park it in areas of dead, dry grass.
- Exit and check - when possible, drive out on the path you drove in on. This will help you check for fires that may have started.
NEWS FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRE
Enhancements were made to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act (FPPA) regulations on March 31, 2017. Learn about the changes and the associated fines here.
Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be on May 26, 2017.
Shannon Stambaugh
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Mobile: 780-706-5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
