Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

WILDFIRE DANGER

The wildfire danger is now moderate for Whitecourt Forest Area. The increased danger is due to large areas of dead, dry grass along roadways. These areas will ignite easily, creating erratic, hard to control wildfire; please use extra caution when in these areas.

Please consider postponing any non-essential burning or use of an off-highway vehicle in snow-free areas until after grasses and leaves turn green.

If you must work or travel in dead, dry grass, best practice is to have a source of water and tools to extinguish a fire. Learn more about off-highway vehicles (OHV) and wildfire prevention.

april_25_2018
Image: Near Fort Assiniboine, AB.

WILDFIRE SITUATION | April 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Whitecourt Forest Area

Since March 1, 2018, there has been 1 wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area, with a total area burnt of 0.05 hectares.

Province of Alberta

Since March 1, 2018, Alberta has recorded 26 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, with a total area burnt of 2.27 hectares.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca

HAZARD REDUCTION BURNING

Every spring, dead, dry grass creates a significant wildfire hazard in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Alberta Wildfire has worked with local municipal fire departments to identified areas of wildfire hazard in and around their communities.

One way to remove a dry grass wildfire hazard is to conduct a planned, controlled burn; called a hazard reduction burn. This type of burn is planned, strategic, controlled, and ultimately, can help to prevent the occurrence of fast moving, erratic wildfires.

2018 hazard reductions burns are planned for the communities of Whitecourt and Fox Creek. The exact date of each burn will depend on weather conditions.

FIRE PERMITS ARE NOW REQUIRED

Free fire permits are required for any burning (except campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

If you need a fire permit in the Whitecourt Forest Area, call:

780-778-7272

Please call at least one week before you need a fire permit. Have ready the legal land location, planned start date, and a daytime phone number.

Fire permits allow firefighters to track burning across the landscape. By getting a fire permit you are ensuring our firefighters are free to fight real wildfires, instead of responding to your planned burn.

If you burn without a fire permit, or outside of the fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. Learn about violation tickets for burning without a permit.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION PRESENTATION - NOW AVAILABLE FOR OIL & GAS COMPANIES

Have a member of Alberta Wildfire go to your workplace and present on wildfire prevention for oil & gas companies. For more information, or to schedule a presentation, contact shawn.milne@gov.ab.ca.

Learn more about the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and associated regulations at: http://wildfire.alberta.ca/enforcement/fppa.aspx

ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Subscribe to the Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update to receive an email when new local wildfire information is posted.
On the Web, get wildfire information for anywhere in Alberta by visiting: wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.
Download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android devices.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Whitecourt Area Update