Whitecourt Forest Area - Fire Advisory in Effect

WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE

Warm temperatures and gusting winds have increased the wildfire hazard to HIGH in the Whitecourt Forest Area. There are areas of dead, dry grass that also create a significant wildfire hazard. Under these conditions, wildfire can start easily and spread quickly, becoming hard to control.

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT MAY 5, 2017

Existing fire permits have been suspended and no new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve.

Small, safe cooking and warming fires are allowed, but may be restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. Take extra time when extinguishing your fire, soak it, stir it, soak it again.

Know that enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act (FPPA) regulations include new penalties for infractions such as leaving a campfire unattended or burning without a permit

Find out about fire restirctions across the province at albertafirebans.ca.

WILDFIRE UPDATE

There no active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there has been one wildfire that has burned 0.01 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfire.alberta.ca.

FIRE PERMITS - CURRENTLY SUSPENDED UNDER FIRE ADVISORY

As of March 1, a free permit is required for all burning (except for campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. New penalties now exist for failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer, read more here.

For information on fire permits call the Whitecourt patrolman at 780-778-1590 or the Whitecourt Fire Centre at 780-778-7272.

Learn more about fire permits.

NEW WILDFIRE PROTECTION REGULATIONS IN EFFECT MARCH 31, 2017

Enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act (FPPA) regulations include:

New penalties for infractions such as leaving a campfire unattended or burning without a permit
Restrictions on the use of fireworks or exploding targets in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta without written permission from a forest officer
Improvements to flammable debris disposal and other industry-based requirements
Activities that interfere with the fighting of a wildfire, such as the unauthorized use of drones near a wildfire, will result in an automatic court appearance

Individuals who knowingly contravene the Forest and Prairie Protection Act by starting a wildfire can be fined up to $100,000 or face imprisonment for up to two years. Read more here.

Industrial users who knowingly contravene the Act and start a wildfire can be fined up to $1 million; learn more here.

See the full announcement or learn more here.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION MEETING FOR OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY MEMBERS

There is the opportunity to have wildfire prevention staff come to your work site and deliver the presentation or set up an online meeting. Contact mike.milner@gov.ab.ca

Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be on May 6, 2017.

wildfire.alberta.ca

Whitecourt Area Update