During wildfire season, you are required to have a fire permit if you plan on burning in the Forest Protection Area, with the exception of a campfire. To request your free fire permit, contact the local forest area: (780) 723-8527.
Please be cautious when working or recreating in the outdoors. Be mindful of hot exhaust, spark or friction. Keep watch of your surroundings and ensure your activities or equipment do not cause a wildfire.
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 remains HIGH.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since March 1, 2021, there have been 133 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 827 ha. To date, 70% of the wildfires in our forest area have been human-caused and could have been prevented.
EWF124 is UNDER CONTROL. The wildfire is 40 km south of Grande Cache on the border of Jasper National Park within the same burnt area of the 2015 Rock Slide wildfire. The fire is currently estimated to be 7.70 ha in size and determined to be caused by lightning.
EWF108 is EXTINGUISHED. The fire is located 33 km north west of Edson, 2 km south of the Emerson (A) Road and 16 km west of the Amoco/North Road. The fire is 6 ha in size and the cause was determined to be lightning.
EWF075 is UNDER CONTROL. The wildfire is located 9 km west of Evansburg, north of highway 16 and west of highway 22. The wildfire is 175 hectares in size. The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation.
There is no threat to any communities at this time.
The wildfires will be monitored as needed until they are classified as extinguished. To understand what the wildfire classifications mean, visit our website by clicking here.
To view the wildfires on a map, download the new AB Wildfire Status App.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 959 wildfires burning a total of 47,587 ha.
For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca
FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT
A fire advisory is in effect for the Edson Forest Area.
Under this advisory:
- Current fire permits remain valid;
- New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
Prohibited:
- Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited.
Allowed:
- Safe wood campfires *
- Backyard fire pits
- Portable propane fire pits
- Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
- Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:
- Be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;
- Have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
- Have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and
- Municipalities, Parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.
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 advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION
A friendly reminder that you can do your part in preventing wildfires by being mindful of heavy-duty machinery. Ensure that you maintain your equipment by having it serviced and repaired when necessary. Always make sure to carry water and fire fighting equipment. As we head into a heat wave be very aware of your surrounding and watch for sparks.
SAFE CAMPFIRES
- Let the fire burn down before you plan on putting it out. Spread the embers within the fire pit, then add water or loose dirt, and stir.
- Expose any material still burning. Add more water and stir again until you can no longer see smoke or steam. Do not bury your fire as the embers may continue to smoulder and can re-emerge as a wildfire.
- Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch.
- If your fire is out, you should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes.
Soak it, stir it, and soak it again!
SMOKE CONCERNS
Wildfire smoke may be affecting residents in our forest area. The smoke over our area is not produced by any current wildfires in Alberta. For those of you wondering what location the smoke is coming from, visit FireSmoke.ca. The service can produce forecasts of hourly ground-level concentrations of smoke from wildfires up to 48 hours in advance.
If you have smoke-related health concerns, please contact Alberta 811 or visit their website by clicking here.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS
Albertans are always asked to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors:
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Before you burn it, get your fire permit. Fire permits in Alberta.
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Clear debris from hot spots on your off-highway vehicle.
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Ensure your campfire is out - soak it, stir it, soak it again.
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Before you head out this weekend, check out the albertafirebans.ca website or download the app to stay informed.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION
- Subscribe to the Edson Forest Area wildfire update to receive an email when new information is posted.
- Download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple and Android device.
- Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
For more information, please contact: