Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - January 10, 2022

Posted on Mon, Jan 10, 2022

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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.


1 Jan 10 MPB SurveysMountain Pine Beetle survey and control projects are under way in the Edson Forest Area.


EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains LOW.


WINTER BURNING TIPS

Industry and landowners often take advantage of the cooler weather to burn debris and brush on their land. However, under any 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.

For more information regarding winter burning, you can view our video by clicking here or viewing our Brush Piles and Windrows information pamphlet.

Prevent Spring Wildfires Video (edson) cropped


EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2022, there have been no wildfires in the Edson Forest Area.

EWF075 is UNDER CONTROL. The wildfire was detected in 2021 and is located 9 km west of Evansburg, north of highway 16 and west of highway 22. The wildfire is 175 hectares in size and is currently under investigation. There is no threat to any communities at this time. The wildfire 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 January 1, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been no wildfires.  

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


End of wildfire season


 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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