Whitecourt Area Update

Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Hazard - June 6, 2017

Posted on Tue, Jun 06, 2017

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WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE

The wildfire hazard is now high for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Warm, dry weather with a lack of rain has caused the increase - this weather pattern is forecast to continue until Friday. As the forest continues to dry, the wildfire hazard will continue to increase.

If you see smoke in the forest, call 310-FIRE (3473).

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE as of 11:00 a.m., June 6, 2017

In the past 24 hours, there have been no new wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Currently, one wildfire is active.

  • Wildfire number 14 is located 19 kilometers north west of Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park (west of highway 32). The wildfire was discovered on May 28 at 7:40 p.m. and is currently classified as under control at 8.30 hectares. A status of under control means the wildfire will not grow any further. Firefighters will continue to monitor the site until it is fully extinguished.

Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been 14 wildfires that have burned 9.24 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

 

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE as of 11:00 a.m., June 6, 2017

There are currently 17 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Three wildfires are being held, 11 are under control and three have been turned over to the responsible parties.

Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 503 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 2,124.04 hectares.

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit the wildfire status map at http://wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status/status-map.aspx.

 

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES CAN START WILDFIRES

Quick tips on how you can prevent a wildfire while using an Off-highway vehicle:

  • 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.

 

NEW FINES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF CAMPFIRES

As of May 1, leaving a campfire unattended will result in a fine of $287 under the Forest Prairie and Protection Act.

If an individual does not properly extinguish a fire and it starts a wildfire they can be charged up to $100,000 or face imprisonment for up to two years. Read more here.

Learn about other enhancements made to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act (FPPA) regulations and the associated fines at fppa.alberta.ca

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Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be on June 7, 2017.

Shannon Stambaugh
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Mobile: 780-706-5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca

 

Stay current on Alberta's wildfire situation, download the Alberta Wildfire mobile app for Android or Apple products. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
 
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