Preventing wildfires is a shared responsibility
Firefighters and support staff are training and readying equipment and aircraft to be fully operational for the start of fire season on March 1. More than 100 firefighters are working across the province and more are being added every week to ensure that proper resources are in place and the province is fully prepared for wildfire when it happens. Learn more about our preparedness efforts by reading the full article.
CHECK WINTER BURN SITES
March 1, 2018 is the start of the 2018 wildfire season, a fire permit will be required for burning within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Now is the time to go back and check you winter burn sites to prevent spring wildfires.
When checking a winter burn site:
- Stir it: first spreading out the remaining material within the pile using a metal probe, or if necessary, heavy equipment. Dig down into the soil to make sure the fire hasn’t burnt down in the roots system.
- Soak it:the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced by the pile. Use your bare hand to check the ashes, they should be cool to the touch.
- Stir it again: one last time, roll the debris over. Using your bare hand, feel for heat while looking for steam. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat coming from the ashes.
Reporting your winter burn site allows our firefighters to respond to actual wildfires and not a planned burn.
Report your winter burn site(s), or get your free fire permit by calling the Whitecourt Forest Area: 780-778-7272.
Learn about safe winter burning practices and brush pile and windrow burning.
FOX CREEK 2018 FIRESMART PROJECT | Feb. 2, 2018 - early March 2018
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will be conducting FireSmart treatments 0.25 kilometers southeast of the town of Fox Creek, on the southside of Highway 43.
The project will including: thinning, pruning, mulching of dead, downed tress and shrubs, and debris removal. The overall goal is to help reduce the risk of wildfire to the town of Fox Creek. Learn more about the project.
Image: Map of the 2018 Fox Creek FireSmart project. More details.
Expect smoke from debris disposal to be seen from Highway 43 and nearby roads. Burning of the debris will not pose a hazard to the community and will be done in a way to minimize smoke.
For more information, contact Justin.Amyot@gov.ab.ca.
FIRESMART CANADA NEWS
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day 2018
In collaboration with The Co-operators, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, FireSmart Canada is presenting the fourth annual National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 5.
Accomplish something great! Organize neighbours, friends or a community group and participate in a project that reduces wildfire risk; becoming FireSmart.
Applications are accepted until March 9, 2018.
Learn more about firesmartcanada.ca.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION
For information on current wildfires across the province of Alberta, visit the Alberta wildfire status map.
To get wildfire information anytime, any place, download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple products. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
RELATED INFORMATION
- Alberta Wildfire Status
- Alberta Fire Bans
- Air Quality Health Index
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation