Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - June 24, 2021 (2:00 p.m)

Posted on Thu, Jun 24, 2021

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A FIRE RESTRICTION is in effect for the Edson Forest Area.

All burn permits, including burn barrels, are cancelled and no new permits will be issued until conditions improve.

If you're having a campfire, ensure you have plenty of water nearby and always properly extinguish it before you leave. Soak the ashes, stir them and soak them again until they're cool to the touch. Never leave your campfire unattended.

If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

Fire Restriction wide

A FIRE RESTRICTION is in place for portions of the Edson Forest Area due to hot and dry conditions, which will increase the fire danger.

Under this restriction:

  • Existing fire permits are suspended;
  • All outdoor fires presently burning under permit must be extinguished, unless approved to continue by a Forest Officer;
  • Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds and backyard fire pits are allowed.

Prohibited:

  • Wood campfires on public land
  • Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

  • Wood campfires on private land
  • Wood campfires within provincial campgrounds in a designated campfire ring
  • Backyard fire pits on private land
  • Charcoal briquette barbeques
  • Propane or natural gas fueled appliances
  • Indoor wood fires
  • Open flame oil devices

Remember to check the hot spots on your Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and remove debris before and after use.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.


67 June 24 Ground FireEWF075 is currently smoldering on the ground  (June 24, 2021)

EWF075 - OUT OF CONTROL - UPDATE 11:00 A.M

Wildfire EWF075 was detected on June 22 and is currently burning out of control 9 km west of Evansburg, north of highway 16 and west of highway 22. The wildfire has crossed the Lobstick River but not highway 16. The wildfire is estimated to be 180 hectares in size. 

Both Alberta Wildfire and Yellowhead County are working in unified command to extinguish this wildfire.

No new growth has been reported since the evening of June 22. This morning very little fire activity and smoke was observed. The fire is mostly smoldering on the ground and there is no open flame visible. 

The temperature at the fire is currently 24 C, the relative humidity is 44%. Winds are calm at 5 km/h from the north west. The fire did not receive any precipitation.

Today, four helicopters will be assisting with fighting the wildfire. Six pieces of heavy equipment are on standby if needed.

Thirty-four firefighters will be searching for and extinguishing hotspots on the wildfire with more crew members arriving later today. The crews made good progress on the fire making wet lines yesterday to contain the fire and will continue today. They'll be assisted again with helicopters bucketing.

UPDATE FROM YELLOWHEAD COUNTY

Today, 11 Yellowhead County Fire Department (YCFD) firefighters will be on scene with six firefighting units. YCFD will continue with structural fire suppression prevention on residential properties. 

Sprinkler protection will remain on the structures that were affected and YCFD fire crews will remain in the area to monitor all sprinkler systems.

The residents that were evacuated by YHC returned to their homes last night.

Residents will be on evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice if conditions change. Yellowhead County Peace Officers and RCMP are assisting with re-entry and patrols.

For more information, please visit Alberta Emergency Alert https://emergencyalert.alberta.ca/.

If residents have any questions regarding evacuations, they can call the Emergency Information number for residents 1-833-334-4630. This number will be available 24/7.

For possible road closures, please visit https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts or download the app.

A WILDFIRE & EVACUATION INFORMATION STATION is set up at the Entwistle Service Station (Esso) along Hwy 16 (south side) near Hwy 22 and the overpass.

The station will be open at 11 a.m. and open until 4 p.m. today unless conditions change.

62 EWF075 Map

No new growth was observed since the evening of June 22. EWF075 Wildfire Boundary Map (June 23, 2021)


EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is now VERY HIGH.


EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 76 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 755 ha. As of today, 92% of our wildfires were human-caused which could have been prevented. 

EWF036 was detected on April 30 and is estimated to be 479 ha in size. The wildfire remains classified as under control and is located 20 km south of Carrot Creek, 25 km north west of Cynthia and 45 km south east of Edson.

Crews will continue to search for hotspots and monitor the wildfire until it is extinguished.

The wildfire poses no threat to any community at this time. The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 579 wildfires burning a total of 1,574 ha.  

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca


FIRESMART TASK OF THE WEEK

Using FireSmart principles is becoming a way of life for many communities in North America. With so many neighborhoods threatened by wildfire each year, residents are taking action and reducing the risk to their homes and properties.

Spring is a great time to make your property Firesmart ready. Here is one easy task you can tackle this week and throughout the summer.

To learn more about FireSmart, visit their website: https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/

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WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Albertans are always asked to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors:  

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 ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

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For more information, please contact:

Caroline Charbonneau
Wildfire Information Officer | Edson Forest Area
Cell:  780-740-1341
caroline.charbonneau@gov.ab.ca
 
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