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 a hard to control wildfire.

Please consider postponing any non-essential burning or use of an off-highway vehicle in snow-free areas until grasses and leaves turn green. Learn more about off-highway vehicles and wildfire prevention.

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Image: Near Fort Assiniboine, AB.

REDUCING WILDFIRE HAZARD

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

One way to remove a grass wildfire hazard is to conduct a planned, controlled burn; called a hazard reduction burn. Such burns not only reduce the wildfire hazard, but also help to prevent the occurrence of fast moving wildfires.

Unless conditions change, the Whitecourt hazard reduction burn will occur April 27, 2018.

In addition, a plan for a hazard reduction burn for the Town of Fox Creek is in place, the exact date will depend on environmental conditions.

WILDFIRE SITUATION | April 27, 2018 at 10:00 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.

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

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES CAN START WILDFIRES

Grasses, branches and mud can build-up on any vehicle designed for off road use. The debris can ignite from the heat of the machine, fall off and start a wildfire.

Prevent a wildfire by:

Be prepared to take action. Carry a small shovel, collapsible pail, source of water or fire extinguisher with you on every ride.
Clean the machine before, during and after a ride. Keeping your machine debris freewill prevent the exhaust system from causing a wildfire.
Strategically park the OHV on bare mineral soil if possible, do not park in areas of dead, dry grass.
Exit and check. When possible, drive out on the path you drove in on, allowing you to check for fires that may have started.

Report a wildfire by calling 310-FIRE (3473)

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

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On the Web, get wildfire information for anywhere in Alberta by visiting: wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.
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Whitecourt Area Update