Fire Permits
A fire permit is required for all fires, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area. A permit is issued depending on type of material being burnt and site conditions. To start the process of getting your free fire permit call 780-778-7272.
In most parts of the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area, safe campfires are allowed at this time. If you live within a town or going to a provincial park this weekend, make sure you check albertafirebans.ca to find out if backyard campfires are restricted.
If you are traveling to go camping, you need to know a fire restriction remains in place for the north and east parts of the province. If you are wondering if you are affected by a restriction, check albertafirebans.ca daily for detailed information about restrictions and locations.
Jurisdictions outside the Forest Protection Area (FPA), including municipalities and provincial parks, may issue their own fire restrictions or bans.
Local Wildfires (June 5)
There are no wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. Since April 1, 2015, there have been 30 wildfires which have burned 26.39 hectares.
Provincial Wildfires
Alberta currently has 39 wildfires. Two are out of control, six are being held, 29 are under control and two have been turned over to the responsible party.
Provincial wildfires of note:
o Buffalo Head Hills Complex Fires; a group of four fires that started on May 25 due to lighting is located approximately 100 kilometers south east of High Level. There are 233 firefighters and 31 helicopters fighting wildfires in this complex (HWF-127 Out of Control (OC) at 3,951.8 ha, HWF-130 Under Control (UC) at 196.4 ha, HWF-131 UC at 25.1 ha HWF-132 Being Held (BH) at 951 ha). Area update
o LWF-122 also known as the Burnt Lake Wildfire is considered out of control and is located approximately 40 kilometres north of Cold Lake in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. There are 269 firefighters, 16 helicopters and various pieces of heavy equipment fighting this 31,334 hectare wildfire. Area update
o LWF-126 also known as the Pony Creek Wildfire is being held and is located approximately 3 kilometres south west of Chard. There are 185 firefighters, 10 helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this 3,000 hectare wildfire.
Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 790 wildfires that have burned a total of 49,499.8 hectares.
Photo: firefighters searching for hotspots on LWF-126 in the Lac La Biche area - June 4
What can you do to help?
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update June 10th.
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Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273
mobile: 780.706.5336