WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
Warm, dry conditions increase the wildfire hazard to high for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Although the mornings are cool and damp, larger trees and root systems in the forest remain dry - by the afternoon, fine materials, like grasses and shrubs, are also dry. Under these conditions, a wildfire can start easily and spread quickly.
See today's wildfire hazard map here.
FIRE PERMITS
Until the end of the wildfire season, a free fire permit is required for all burning (except for campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. To get started call:
- Whitecourt patrolman at 780-778-1590 or
- Whitecourt Fire Centre at 780-778-7272
A violation ticket of $287 can be issued for the failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer. For more information, visit fppa.alberta.ca.
CAMPFIRES AND HUNTING
Before having a campfire, check Albertafirebans.ca for Forest Closures, Bans, Restrictions or Advisories. In the Whitecourt Forest Area, there are no restrictions in place.
New regulations have strengthened wildfire protection. Take the time to understand these amendments before having a campfire this hunting season.
Quick tips:
- Never leave a fire unattended - a violation ticket of $287 can be issued.
- Completely extinguish the campfire before you leave it. Do this by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. You will know it's out when the ashes are cool to the touch and there is no steam or smoke. Learn more.
Information on hunting in Alberta can be found at albertaregulations.ca. If you are new to hunting, read more here.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES (OHV) CAN START WILDFIRES
Before you ride, check Albertafirebans.ca to see if an OHV Restriction is in place. In the Whitecourt Forest Area, there are no restrictions in place.
Help prevent a wildfire when riding:
- Removing debris - keep the machine free of debris (ex. grass, branches, mud) by checking hotspots before, during and after your ride. Learn more.
- Strategically parking - park the OHV on bare mineral soil if possible, do not park in areas of dead, dry grass.
- Exit and checking - when possible, drive out on the path driven in on, check for fires that may have started from the machine.
Learn more.
Image: Keeping wheels out of water.while removing debris from hotspots on an OHV.
WILDFIRE SITUATION - September 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Whitecourt Forest Area
There are no wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been 26 wildfires that have burned 11.41 hectares in the Forest Area.
Province of Alberta
There are currently 21 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
- 2 wildfires have a status of out of control, 9 are being held, 7 are under control and 3 have been turned over to the responsible parties.
Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 1,144 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 23,143.32 hectares. For information visit the provincial wildfire status map.
INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED IT
To get daily wildfire updates anytime, any place, download the free Alberta Wildfire mobile app for Android or Apple products.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
To report a wildfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, call 310-FIRE (3473).
Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be at 11:00 a.m. on September 7, 2017.
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca