AB Wildfire firefighters board the helicopter after classifying EWF075 as under control last week.
EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
The wildfire danger is now overall HIGH in the Edson Forest Area. To view the fire danger forecast map, click here.
LONG WEEKEND SAFETY MESSAGE
While it may feel like summer is coming to an end, wildfire season doesn’t officially end until October 31. Wildfires can start anytime of year if the conditions are right. Please use caution in the forested areas if you are out this long weekend. We have been experiencing hot, dry conditions for a while in the area, which can escalate the wildfire danger in a matter of days. This means that wildfires can start easily and spread quickly.
Here are a few tips that will help ensure a safe long weekend:
Alberta Wildfire typically sees an increase in human-caused wildfires during long weekends so do your part and prevent wildfires.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022, there have been 83 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 46 ha.
NEW WILDFIRE DETECTIONS
EWF075 is 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.
On the day the wildfire was detected, firefighting crews worked with helicopters to build access for firefighters to reach the fire. Two airtankers worked to establish a containment line and later that night, a special night operation helicopter worked to bucket water on the wildfire. Firefighters with the help of several helicopters continued to search for and extinguish hotspots until the fire was under control. Firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire until it is classified as extinguished.
This wildfire does not threaten any community at this time and was 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 1010 wildfires burning a total of 141,306 ha.
Last year on this date, there had been 1,166 wildfires that burnt a total of 53,941 ha. In the past 5 years on this date, an average of 986 wildfires burnt an average of 186,219 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: