Wildfire season in Alberta is from March 1 until October 31. 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.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, contact 310-FIRE.
The FireSmart vegetation management project is underway in Cadomin and will be completed by the end of the month. For the safety of the public and the workers, we ask that you stay away from the project site.
EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains LOW.
FIRESMART VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT - CADOMIN
The FireSmart vegetation management project on the west side of the community of Cadomin is currently underway. The Edson Forest Area initiated this project with the intent to help protect the community in the event of a wildfire.
Vegetation management is one of the seven key principles of FireSmart. By removing additional fuel, this could slow an advancing wildfire and assist firefighting efforts. Removing the ladder fuels, which are low hanging branches near the ground, can prevent a ground fire from climbing into the trees and becoming a crown fire. Ground fires are much easier to contain and when the forest floor has less fuel to sustain the fire, can be easier to extinguish.
Within the delineated 19 hectare area, a contractor has been removing the under brush, pruning the tree branches up to two meters high and spacing some of the tree crowns to prevent them from touching. They are also removing all standing dead trees that are a safety hazard, leaning trees and much of the dead and downed debris within the block. This work is being completed by hand crews using various power saws and the trees and debris will be disposed of via mulching using suitable mechanized mulching equipment.
The project is being conducted in the winter while the ground is dry and frozen. This will limit the damage to vegetation, soil and watershed including rutting and soil disturbance.
We ask that members of the public stay clear of the project area while work is being conducted. This is for the safety of the public and also the workers on site. The project will be completed by the end of March.
The community of Cadomin was invited to a consultation meeting on two occasions last fall. The residents' suggestions and concerns were appreciated and taken into account when building this project and we thank all of those who participated. If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this project, we invite you to contact the Edson Area information officer at (780) 740-1341.
Contractors are pruning low laying branches two meters up to prevent a ground fire from climbing into the tree tops and becoming a crown fire.
FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED
Fire season began March 1 and all burning now requires 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.
All winter burns should have been fully extinguished before March 1. We urge all those that conducted burn projects to return to their site and 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 later on 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.
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 the cause 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 six wildfires burning a total of 13.05 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.
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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: