WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
The wildfire hazard is low in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Cool, wet conditions are reducing the risk of a wildfire starting.
Please note: areas of dead, dry grass and leaves are creating a high wildfire hazard. Please use extra caution in these areas, for example, avoiding traveling through them with an off-highway vehicle. Learn more below.
FIREFIGHTERS BURNING GRASS
Over the next few weeks, wildland firefighters will be conducting hazard reduction burns in areas of dead, dry grass in and around communities within the Whitecourt Forest Area. Burning done by highly trained, professional wildland firefighters will help remove the build-up of dry grass which creates a significant wildfire hazard.
Learn more about hazard reduction projects around the Whitecourt Forest Area here.
WILDFIRE SITUATION - October 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
Whitecourt Forest Area
There are no wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been 29 wildfires that have burned 11.44 hectares in the Forest Area.
For information on wildfires across the province of Alberta, visit wildfire status map.
FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED UNTIL END OF WILDIRE SEASON (Oct. 31, annually)
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
A violation ticket of $287 can be issued for the failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer. For more information, visit fppa.alberta.ca.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES (OHV) CAN START WILDFIRES
Easy tips on preventing a wildfire while riding an OHV:
- Remove debris - keep your machine free of debris (ex. grass, branches, mud) by checking hotspots before, during and after your ride. Learn more.
- Strategic parking - park your OHV on bare mineral soil if possible, do not park it in areas of dead, dry grass and/or leaves.
- 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 from the machine.
Learn more
Image: Taking the time to clean the hotspots on an OHV; keeping wheels out of water.
Under the Forest Prairie and Protection Act, new regulations are in place. If you are going to have a campfire, know that leaving a campfire unattended can result in a violation ticket of $287.
- Completely extinguish the campfire before you leave it. Do this by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. You will know it's out when the ashes are cool to the touch. Learn more.
Application deadline is November 30, 2017.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED IT
To get the wildfire hazard update anytime, any place, download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple products.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can also follow our blog.
To report a wildfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, call 310-FIRE (3473).
Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be at 11:00 a.m. on October 27, 2017.
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca