Whitecourt Area Update

Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update - July 19, 2018, 11:00 a.m.

Posted on Tue, Jul 17, 2018

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WILDFIRE DANGER 

Rain and higher relative humidities, keep the wildfire danger at low in the Whitecourt Forest AreaLater tonight, thunderstorms will continue to produce lightning, increasing the probability of a wildfire starting. If you see smoke in the forest, report it by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

Tomorrow, the weather forecast predicts significant rainfall for the Forest Area. Although it is harder for wildfires to start and spread, it is always important to take the time to prevent wildfires. 

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Image: Lightning strike near Whitecourt, AB.


WILDFIRE SITUATION | July 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.

Whitecourt Forest Area

  • In the last 24 hours, there was 1 wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area. The wildfire (WWF-048) was quickly brought under control at 0.55 hectares in size. No communities or structures are being threatened; it's located approximately 45 km south of the town of Fox Creek. Firefighters will continue to look for hotspots, as they work to extinguish the wildfire.
  • Since March 1, 2018, there have been 47 wildfires; with a total area burnt of 12.32 hectares.

Province of Alberta

  • There are 22 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
    • Current wildfire status: 9 wildfires are being held, 9 are under control and 4 have been turned over to the responsible party.
  • Since March 1, 2018, Alberta has recorded 953 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area; with a total area burnt of 45,910.15 hectares.

For more information on wildfires across the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.


HELP PREVENT WILDFIRE

  • Clean your off-highway vehicle before, during and after your ride. Learn more.

  • Whenever possible, use a fire receptacle in campgrounds or recreation areas; they are built to help prevent a fire from spreading. If a receptacle is not available, there are campfire tips to prevent a wildfire. When having a campfire, never leave it unattended, and when finished, soak it, stir it, and soak it again. Learn more.

    Safe campfire

Before you go camping, or taking a vehicle off-road, find out about fire advisories, restrictions, bans, and off-highway vehicle restrictions at Albertafirebans.ca, or on the Alberta Fire Bans app for Android or Apple devices. 


FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED

Free fire permits are required for any burning (except campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Permits help firefighters know where planned burning is taking place, leaving them ready to respond to new wildfires.

If you need a fire permit in the Whitecourt Forest Area, call 780-778-7272.

 FIREPERMIT

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


FIRESMART 

FireSmart is living with, and managing for wildfire on our landscape. Did you know a watered lawn is FireSmart? Learn more today at firesmartcanada.ca.

FireSmart_lawn

FireSmart Community Series 2018 – Working Towards a Resilient Alberta


ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

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Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be July 20, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. 
 
 
Shannon Stamabugh
Wildfire Information Officer
Phone: 780.706.5336
 310fire_trees_on_fire 

 

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