Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

WILDFIRE DANGER

Lower temperatures drop the wildfire danger at moderate for the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Temperatures are expected to reach 10 C today; wind will be NW 20 km/h, gusting to 30 km/h. According to the conditions on a fire permit, burning is not allowed when the wind speed exceeds 15 km/h.

Until we receive precipitation, and the grass turns green, the wind has the potential to spread grass fires quickly. As a result, large areas of dead, dry grass along roadways create a wildfire hazard.

Please consider postponing the use of off-highway vehicles in snow-free areas, until grasses and leaves turn green. Learn more about off-highway vehicles and wildfire prevention.

Image: North of Fort Assiniboine, AB.

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES CAN START WILDFIRES

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

Clean your machine, before, during, and after your ride.

Quick wildfire prevention tips:

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 free will prevent the exhaust system from causing a wildfire.
Strategically park the vehicle 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.

WILDFIRE SITUATION | April 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

Whitecourt Forest Area

Currently there are zero wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Since March 1, 2018, there has been 1 wildfire; with a total area burnt of 0.05 hectares.

Province of Alberta

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

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.

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.
Download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android devices.
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