The northeast portion of the Whitecourt Forest Area is under a fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction. Advisory remains elsewhere. May 25, 2018.

WILDFIRE DANGER

Hot, dry weather keeps the wildfire danger at extreme for the Whitecourt Forest Area, as a result, a Fire Ban and an Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction are in effect for the northeastern portion of the Whitecourt Forest Area, the rest of the forest area remains under a fire advisory.

As of May 25, 2018 at 12:00, a Fire Ban and off-highway vehicle restriction are in effect for the northeast portion of Whitecourt Forest Area, see the MAP. The restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Under the Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction:

Prohibited

All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas and backyard fire pits
Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
Fireworks and exploding targets
The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands

Allowed

Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified
Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating
Catalytic or infrared style heaters

Please note: the Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction does not apply to towns, villages or summer villages embedded in the Forest Protection Area, residents can check Albertafirebans.ca, or the Alberta Fire Bans app for Android or Apple devices for local advisories, restrictions or bans.

The rest of the forest area remains under a Fire Advisory.

A Fire Advisory issued on May 14, 2018, remains in place for the rest of the Whitecourt Forest Area until conditions improve, see a MAP. The advisory is due to persistent dry weather, and the dry grass wildfire hazard. Dry grass provides fuel for fast moving wildfires.

Under the Advisory

All fire permits are suspended and new fire permits will not be issued until conditions improve

Prohibited

Any burning (except campfires) within the Forest Protection Area.
All fire permits (except burn barrels) are now suspended.

Allowed

Safe wood campfires in campgrounds (within fire rings) or random camping areas
Charcoal briquettes
Portable propane fire pits
Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
Permitted burn barrels.

Please note: the Fire Advisory does not apply to towns, villages or summer villages embedded in the Forest Protection Area, residents can check Albertafirebans.ca, or the Alberta Fire Bans app for Android or Apple devices for local advisories, restrictions or bans.

WILDFIRE SITUATION | May 25, 2018, at 10:30 a.m.

Whitecourt Forest Area

There is one wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Wildfire 24 is 0.01 hectares in size and is located 16 km SE of Swan Hills, E of highway 33. This wildfire is being held meaning that it is not anticipated to grow past its current boundary. 10 firefighters and two helicopters are working to extinguish the wildfire.
Since March 1, 2018, there have been 24 wildfires; with a total area burnt of 10.22 hectares.

Province of Alberta

There are 34 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. 7 wildfires are out of control, 6 being held, 18 are under control, and 3 have been turned over to the responsible party. Learn more about wildfire status definitions.
Since March 1, 2018, Alberta has recorded 496 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area; with a total area burnt of 13,354.55 hectares.

For information on the current wildfire situation in the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca

WILDFIRE PREVENTION

Clean your off-highway vehicle before, during and after your ride. Learn more.
Never leave your campfire unattended and when finished, soak it, stir it and soak it again. Learn more.

ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Subscribe to the Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update to receive an email on new local wildfire information.
Get wildfire information for the province of Alberta by visiting: wildfirestatus.alberta.ca. Or download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android devices.
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Whitecourt Area Update