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. The thundershower can producting lighting. If you see smoke in the forest, call 310-FIRE (3473)

AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE 10:00 a.m., June 14, 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 14, 2017

There are currently 11 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Five wildfires are under control and six have been turned over to the responsible parties.

Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 531 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 2,172.4 hectares.

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

TIPS ON HAVING A SAFE CAMPFIRE

Site selection - in campgrounds or recreational areas, use the designated stoves, rings or fire pits. In the backcountry or where a designated receptacle isn't available, use sites that are clear of dry grass, bushes, leaves, over hanging branches, tree trunks and peat moss. Build campfire on level ground that is sheltered from the wind and near a source of water.
Never leave a campfire unattended - a campfire can escape and start a wildfire if no one is watching it. Watch for sparks and escaped embers - quickly extinguish them.
Completely extinguish a campfire - soak it, stir it, soak it again - let the fire burn down, spread the embers within the pit then add water or loose dirt. Stir it around to expose any material that is still burning and then add more water or dirt. Don’t bury your fire because it can smolder underground and reignite into a wildfire. You’ll know your fire is out, when you don’t feel any heat coming from the ashes.

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.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS FOR 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.

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.

Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be on June 16, 2017.

wildfire.alberta.ca albertafirebans.ca emergencyalert.alberta.ca

Whitecourt Area Update