WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
Warm, windy conditions are mixing to increase the wildfire hazard to moderate this weekend in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Please take the time to prevent wildfires when working or enjoying time in the forest.
Image: Athabasca River Valley
FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED UNTIL END OF WILDIRE SEASON (October 31)
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.
DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT WILDFIRES
New regulations have strengthened wildfire protection. Take the time to understand these amendments before having a campfire.
Quick tips:
- Never leave a campfire unattended, doing so 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.
Image: Soak it, stir it, soak it again.
Off-highway vehicles can start wildfires if they are not kept clean of debris build-up. Please take the time clean your machine responsibly. Learn more.
Image: Taking the time to clean the hotspots on an OHV; keeping wheels out of water.
WILDFIRE SITUATION - October 1, 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 28 wildfires that have burned 11.43 hectares in the Forest Area.
Province of Alberta
There are currently 15 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
- 2 wildfires are being held, 11 are under control and 2 have been turned over to the responsible parties.
Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 1,182 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 47,401.47 hectares. For information visit the provincial wildfire status map.
BECOME PART OF THE TEAM!
Recruitment | Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
http://wildfire.alberta.ca/recruitment/default.aspxApplication deadline is November 30, 2017.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED IT
To get daily wildfire hazard updates anytime, any place, download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple products.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or 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 6, 2017.
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca