WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
The wildfire hazard is moderate in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Windy, dry conditions are increasing 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 local communities. When the conditions are right, burning will be done by professional wildland firefighters along with local fire departments.
The burning is necessary to remove the build-up of the dead grass, a significant wildfire hazard. Learn more about hazard reduction projects around the Whitecourt Forest Area here.
WILDFIRE SITUATION - October 31, 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.
PREPARATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FALL OR WINTER BURN
From October 31 - February 28, you no longer require a free fire permit to burn within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Please remember that if you ignite a fire, you are still responsible if it causes a wildfire. Below are some tips on how to prevent a wildfire while burning this fall or winter.
Prepare the site:
- Choose a location that is on high ground and so that pile can be 25 metres or more away from structures and standing trees. Learn more about properly preparing a burn site here.
- Surround the pile with a fireguard that is at least 15 metres wide - preferably bare mineral soil.
- Ensure the pile is clean of dirt so it can burn cleanly and quickly.
Report your site:
- Prior to burning, notify the Whiteocurt Forest Area of your burn site.
- Have ready your start and end dates of burn, description of materials to be burnt and the legal land description.
- Call: 780-778-7272.
Safe burning practices:
- Have someone on site monitoring the burn the entire time - if it escapes, immediately report it to the local Whitecourt Forest Area Office: 780-778-7272.
- Have adequate tools, water and equipment on site when burning. If you require advice on this, call the Whitecourt Forest Area Office.
- Only burn what you can control with the equipment, people and weather conditions you have available.
After you burn:
- Spread out the remaining material within the pile.
- Soak the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced by the pile - it should be cool to the touch.
- Check your burn site multiple times in the coming weeks to ensure it has not reignited.
Learn more here.
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 November 30, 2017.
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca