Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - December 6, 2021

Posted on Mon, Dec 06, 2021

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-low.jpg

If you plan on burning this winter, please monitor wind and snow levels, have sufficient firefighting equipment on site and ensure you fully extinguish your burns once you are done.

All campfires, regardless of their size, must be fully extinguished. A campfire can smoulder under the ground and snow for weeks and resurface as a wildfire when conditions are right.

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


117 Dec 6 Christmas Tree Road PermitPlanning on cutting your very own Christmas tree this year? Get your free permit online!


EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains LOW.


CHRISTMAS TREE CUTTING PERMIT

Gathering around a real Christmas tree your family has chosen and harvested from our public forests is a cherished Alberta tradition. To cut your own Christmas tree from Alberta’s public forests, you simply need a Personal Use Forest Products Permit (PUFPP). The permit allows you to harvest up to three Christmas trees from designated areas on Crown land. There is no cost to get a PUFPP and you can easily obtain it online.

If you’re planning to head out to harvest your own tree, be sure to obtain your permit early; you may require technical assistance or have other questions. Lastly, be safe! Let someone know when you are heading out, where you plan to cut, and what time you plan to be back. Cell service can be unreliable in the forest, and the snow can be much deeper than at home. Road conditions are variable; take extra winter clothing and emergency supplies.

For more information or to obtain a Personal Use Forest Products Permit (PUFPP) to cut your own Christmas tree, visit alberta.ca/tree-cutting.aspx or click here.

Tree Cutting Permit


WINTER BURNING TIPS

Industry and landowners often take advantage of the cooler weather to burn debris and brush on their land. However, under current conditions you need to be extremely careful that your actions don’t start a wildfire.  We are urging anyone doing winter burning to ensure that their piles have been fully extinguished once completed. If fires are not properly put out, they can spread and burn underground, even under the snow and ice, all winter. Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires. 

Following safe burning practices will help prevent holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although snow helps reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that you check regularly all fall and winter burn sites to ensure that the fire is out. Walk the burn area and roll over any debris to check for hot spots. The best way to find hotspots is to look for visible signs of burning such as melting snow around the edges, touch the burn area with your hands and smell for smoke. 

Here are a few things to consider when burning this winter:

  • Monitor wind and snow levels as they may change suddenly. Wind can pick up sparks or embers and start a wildfire if the conditions are right.
  • Ensure you have sufficient firefighting equipment at the burn site.
  • As with any burning, do not attempt to burn more than you can control.
  • Actively manage burn projects to reduce disposal time and smoke impacts. Continually re-pile if needed. Burning debris in stages will allow you to adapt to changing weather conditions and reduce smoke.  Lower temperatures and lighter wind speeds can result in stronger inversions. The ideal conditions for burning are typically days with no inversions, average temperatures and a slight wind.
  • Please don’t hesitate to consult with local municipalities, Alberta Transportation or Alberta Wildfire on how to mitigate impacts when undertaking larger winter burning projects near communities or roadways. You can also visit alberta.ca for additional information.
  • All burn piles must be fully extinguished before the start of wildfire season.

Fire permits are only required during wildfire season and therefore you are not currently required to contact Alberta Wildfire when burning, however we appreciate the information in the event that flame or smoke is reported by the public.  

To assist the Edson Forest Area, please report your winter burning by contacting the dispatch line directly (780) 723-8507 (leave a voice message) or by email at wf.wfops-edsn@gov.ab.ca with the following:

  • name of landowner burning or company and representative name.
  • phone number in case of emergency.
  • legal land description or latitude/longitude.

WILDFIRE SURVEY

Learning about wildfires in your community is vital for many Albertans. Please help us better share information when and where you need it most by taking a few minutes to answer our survey: https://bit.ly/3cbKY61.

WildfireSurvey_v3_Facebook_1200x628

 


EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 174 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 830 ha. To date, 70% of the wildfires in our forest area were human-caused and could have been prevented.

We thank those who reported wildfires this year. A total of 62% confirmed wildfires were reported by the public and industry using 310-FIRE or other reporting methods. 

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 as the 2015 Rock Slide wildfire. The fire is currently estimated to be 7.7 ha in size and determined to be caused by 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 1,330 wildfires burning a total of 52,996 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:

End of wildfire season


 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