Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE

The wildfire hazard is low in the Whitecourt Forest Area. We continue to experience scattered rain showers and thundershowers across the Forest Area. Today, the wind will be west in direction at 25 kilometers per hour, gusting up to 50 kilometers per hour.

When the wind speed is greater than 15 kilometers per hour, burning is not recommended. Please ensure you are abiding by the conditions on your fire permit.

AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE 10:00 a.m., June 21, 2017

There are no active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been 15 wildfires that have burned 10.01 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE 10:00 a.m., June 21, 2017

There are currently four wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. two wildfires are under control and two have been turned over to the responsible parties.

Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 547 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 2,186.36 hectares.

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit the provincial wildfire status map.

HANDY TIPS WHEN HAVING A CAMPFIRE

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.

FIRE PERMITS

As of March 1, 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

Penalties now exist for failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer, read more here.

KEEP YOUR LAWN LOOKING GOOD AND FIRESMART AT THE SAME TIME!

Right now, grass is growing quickly. Did you know that mowing the grass that's within 10 meters of your home or buildings on your property means you are using FireSmart principles? Managing vegetation, such as grass, decreases the amount of vegetation that can fuel a wildfire.

Preparing for the threat of wildfire is a shared responsibility. From home owners, to industry and government we all have responsibility to lessen the effects of wildfire.

Learn more easy tips at FireSmart.ca.