Wildfire season begins tomorrow.
All existing burn projects must be fully extinguished today and any new burning will require a fire permit, with the exception of a campfire, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. To request your free fire permit, contact the local forestry office at 780-723-8527.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, contact 310-FIRE.
All existing burn piles must be fully extinguished by the end of the day and any new burns must have a fire permit.
EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains LOW.
FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED
Fire season officially starts tomorrow and all existing burns must be fully extinguished. All new burning will require a fire permit, with the exception of a campfire, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
If you're burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire will be considered a wildfire. Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape and help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to reported smoke.
Fire permits are free and can be requested from your local forestry office at: (780) 723-8527. We ask that you plan ahead, it may take up to three days for a forest officer to visit your site.
Remember to revisit all winter burn piles before March 1. When checking your winter burns, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. If you see or smell smoke or feel heat with your bare hand, the fire is still burning. Douse any remaining hotspots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes. If fires aren’t properly put out, they can spread and burn underground or under the snow and ice. Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires.
For more information regarding fire permits, you can view our video by clicking here or see our Fire Permits - Safe Burning Practices information pamphlet.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022, there have been three wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 13.02 ha.
EWF003 was an abandoned campfire that was not properly extinguished. All campfires, no matter their size or time of year, must be fully extinguished.
2021 - 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 it is 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 AB Wildfire Status App.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been five wildfires burning a total of 13.04 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:
-
Before you burn it, get your fire permit. Fire permits in Alberta.
-
Clear debris from hot spots on your off-highway vehicle.
-
Ensure your campfire is out - soak it, stir it, soak it again.
-
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: