Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - August 23, 2022

Written by Caroline Charbonneau | Aug 23, 2022 10:02:24 PM

Help keep Alberta's forest safe and ensure you fully extinguish your campfire. Soak the ashes, stir them and soak them again until they're cool to the touch. Never leave your campfire unattended.

Do not burn in windy conditions and always adhere to the conditions of your permit. Dry grass and fine debris can catch easily and burn very quickly. Any spark, friction or hot exhaust can easily start a wildfire.

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

AB Wildfire firefighters have been busy extinguishing lightning caused fires this week.

EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger remains LOW due to cooler daytime temperatures and recent precipitation in the Edson Forest Area. To view the fire danger forecast map, click here.

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2022, there have been 79 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 45.43 ha. 

NEW WILDFIRE DETECTIONS

EWF075 is now classified as under control, which means that the fire is fully contained and will be extinguished. The fire is located approximately 24 km southwest of Grande Cache and estimated to be 4.0 ha in size.

Two days ago, firefighting crews worked with two helicopters to build access for firefighters to reach the wildfire. Two airtankers worked to establish a containment line and later that night, a special night operation helicopter worked to bucket water on the wildfire.    

Yesterday, 18 firefighters from the Edson Unit Crew worked with one helicopter to build containment line and extinguish flames and hotspots. Today, 30 firefighters and three helicopters are searching for and extinguishing hotspots.

EWF077 is now classified as extinguished. The wildfire was located 70 km northeast of Grande Cache and 0.1 ha in size.

These wildfires do not threaten any community at this time and were determined to be caused by lightning. To learn more about the classification of wildfires, please click here.

To view the wildfires on a map, check out the new wildfire dashboard. It provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the province, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 941 wildfires burning a total of 116,605 ha.

FIRESMART VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN ROBB & CADOMIN

Be advised that AB Wildfire crews will be working in the Robb and Cadomin area starting August 17 until the end of August. The crews will be pruning, thinning and doing general clean up and maintenance of existing FireSmart vegetation blocks. Firefighters will possibly be doing some pile burning so residents may see or smell smoke in the area.

FIRESMART EDUCATION PROGRAMS

People living in forested areas need to be aware of the threat of wildfire, and actions they can take to make their homes and neighbourhoods FireSmart. 

FireSmart Canada has developed educational programs to help homeowners get started. To learn more about these tools and programs, visit their website: firesmartcanada.ca/programs/.

FIRE PERMITS

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 or you can request your permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.

We ask that you plan ahead, there may be delays for a forest officer to visit your site. For more information regarding fire permits, you can view our video by clicking here.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Albertans are always asked to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors:

 ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

     

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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