Extreme Wildfire Hazard | Whitecourt Forest Area

Wildfire Hazard

Warm temperatures and lack of rain, push the wildfire hazard to EXTREME for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Today, we are expected to reach a high of 27 degrees Celsius, wind will be south east in direction at 15 kilometres per hour. There is no rain in the forecast for the coming week; a significant amount of water on the ground is needed for the forest to recover from the current dry conditions.

Areas of dry grass and branches pose the most significant risk of wildfire. Wildfire in these areas will start easily and spread quickly, making it very hard for firefighters to control.

--gwbnasfs01.env.gov.ab.ca-Leah.Lovequist-2011-ads-Grass_burning.jpg

Fire Advisory in Effect

Due to the warm, dry weather trend a Fire Advisory is in place for the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Current Fire Permits are canceled, except for those issued for seasonal burn barrels and incinerators. Please check the conditions of your permit before you burn.
No new permits will be issued until conditions change.
Safe campfires are still allowed but are not recommended until weather conditions change.

The Advisory will remain in place until conditions improve. If you have questions about Fire Permits within the Whitecourt Forest Area, call 780-778-7272.

Burning activities may become restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. For more information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca.

Learn more about the Fire Ban System and how it is used to notify you of potential impacts for burning or camping.

Wildfire Update

Wildfire Update | May 2 @ 10:00 a.m.

Currently there are three wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Two have been turned over to the responsible party. One other wildfire remains the the Area:

Anselmo Area Wildfire (WWF-014) started on April 28 and remains UNDER CONTROL at 1.50 hectares in size. It is located just over 12 kilometres west of the Town of Mayerthorpe. Firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire until it is extinguished.

Firefighters are assisting other municipalities outside of the Forest Protection Area with two wildfires:

Duffield Area Wildfires (WCU-001/WIR-001) these two wildfires are located in the area of Duffield, Alberta. Assistance was requested by both Parkland County and Wabamun Indian Reserve No. 133A on April 17. Currently, 59 firefighters are assisting with these wildfires.
Onoway Area Wildfire (WCU-002) is located approximately 24 kilometres north west of St. Albert, Alberta. Assistance was requested at 10:00 pm on April 18 by Lac Ste. Anne County. There are nine firefighters assisting with this wildfire. It is burning deep into the peat layer that is in the area. Firefighters are using chainsaws and shovels to dig up, soak and stir the burning material, working to extinguish this wildfire.

Image: Firefighters working on the Onoway Area Wildfire (WCU-004) in a deep pit, soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. The soil profile shows the deep layers of organic material that are allowing the wildfire to burn deep into the ground.

To date, there have been 17 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area which have burned 8.78 hectares. Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are strategically located across the Area to quickly respond to any new wildfires.

Provincial Update | May 1 @ 10:00 a.m.

In the last 24 hours there have been 14 new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. One is considered out of control, two are being held, six are under control and five have been extinguished.

There are currently 31 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Two are considered out of control, three are being held, 14 are under control and 12 have been turned over to the responsible party.
SWF-030 is considered out of control at 446.5 hectares and is located approximately 45 kilometres north west of Red Earth. There are 48 firefighters and five helicopters fighting this wildfire.
MWF-009 is considered out of control at 500 hectares and is located approximately 5 kilometres west of Fort McMurray. There are 15 firefighters and four helicopters fighting this wildfire.
Since April 1, 2016, Alberta has recorded 296 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 1620.84 hectares.
Agriculture and Forestry is currently assisting with seven wildfires outside the Forest Protection Area.

For information on wildfires across the province visit wildfire.alberta.ca.

Smoke in the Air

If you have health concerns regarding smoke inhalation from a wildfire, check Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24 hour health advice.

For a smoke forecast map, please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada..