Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - June 28, 2021

Posted on Mon, Jun 28, 2021

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-extreme.jpg

A fire restriction is in effect for the Edson Forest Area.

A fire restriction prohibits the use of wood campfires on public land. You may have a campfire inside provincial campgrounds and on private property. 

You must have a fire permit to detonate fireworks in the Forest Protection Area. All fire permits are now cancelled and no new permits will be issued until conditions improve. 

If you plan on using an OHV in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, remember to stop often and check hot spots. Debris heated by the exhaust system can inadvertently start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.

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


EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is now EXTREME. In the event of a wildfire, extreme fire behaviour is anticipated. In preparation, we have pre-positioned our firefighters, aircraft and equipment in key areas to enable them to respond quickly to new wildfires.

ffirehaz


Fire RestrictionA 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

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

For more information regarding the fire ban system, visit our website: https://wildfire.alberta.ca/prevention/fire-ban-system.aspx 

or you can visit: https://www.albertafirebans.ca/

To view the Ministerial Order:  https://wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status/documents/MinisterialOrder-016-2021.pdf

72 Firetack June 28Alberta wildfire firetack crews from across the province are working on EWF075 (June 28, 2021).


EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE (1:00 p.m)

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 78 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 750 ha. As of today, 92% of our wildfires were human-caused which could have been prevented. 

EWF075 was detected on June 22 and is classified as BEING HELD. This means that under current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. The wildfire is located 9 km west of Evansburg, north of highway 16 and west of highway 22. The wildfire was reassessed and is now determined to be 175 hectares in size. 

No new growth has been reported since the evening of June 22. The fire is mostly smoldering on the ground but at times flares in unburnt tree stands that remain in the interior.

The temperature at the fire is currently 32 C and the relative humidity is 48%. The winds are ranging 3 - 5  km/h from the south east. The fire did not receive any precipitation.

Firefighters from across the province are working to contain and suppress the wildfire. Today, 83 firefighters continue to reinforce the containment line, search for and extinguish hotspots with the assistance of three helicopters. This week, firefighters and helicopters will continue with similar operations until the wildfire is fully extinguished.

Six pieces of heavy equipment are on standby if needed.

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 590 wildfires burning a total of 1,577 ha.  

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


WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

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

WildfireApp_v2_1200x628


 ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

 facebook.jpg  twitter.jpg  instagram.jpg

For more information, please contact:

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