WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
The wildfire hazard is very high for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Tomorrow, the temperature will be around 23 degrees Celsius and the wind will be southeast in direction at 25 kilometers per hour, gusting up to 40 kilometers per hour.
Burning is not recommended when the wind speed exceeds 15 kilometers per hour. Take the necessary steps to prevent wildfires while out enjoying or working in the forest.
To report a wildfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, call 310-FIRE (3473).
FIRE PERMITS
Until October 31, 2017 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 fine of $287 now exists for failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer, read more here or visit fppa.alberta.ca.
LOCAL WILDFIRE UPDATE - AUGUST 28, 2017
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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE - AUGUST 24, 2017
There are currently 15 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta; 3 wildfires are classified as out of control, 6 being held, 6 are under control and 3 have been turned over to the responsible parties.
Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 1,082 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 20,789.03 hectares. For information visit the provincial wildfire status map.
HANDY TIPS WHEN HAVING A CAMPFIRE
- Before you leave - check albertafirebans.ca for information about fire restrictions or bans.
- Select your site - use a designated stove, ring or fire pit if possible. Use sites clear of dry grass, bushes, leave branches and other flammable vegetation.
- Prepare your campfire - have the right tools including a shovel, axe and enough water to fully extinguish your campfire.
- Extinguish your campfire - soak it, stir it, soak it again. Using your bare hand, feel for heat coming from the ashes, it should be cool to the touch.
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.
TIPS TO PREVENT A WILDFIRE WHILE USING AN OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE
- Remove debris - keep 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.
Read more here.
Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be on August 29, 2017.
Shannon Stambaugh
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
