Wildfire season officially ended on October 31 and fire permits are no longer required until March 1. You are still responsible for the safe maintenance of any fires and for fully extinguishing winter burns.
Please ensure that you monitor weather conditions to prevent smoke issues or an escaped wildfire and have sufficient firefighting equipment nearby.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
We’re recruiting for the 2023 wildfire season! If you are interested in demanding but rewarding seasonal work, joining our team as a wildfire crew member may be for you. Check out the requirements here: wildfire.alberta.ca/recruitment
END OF WILDFIRE SEASON
The wildfire season in Alberta has officially ended. This season, there were 108 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area and 85 of them were human-caused, representing 78 per cent. At the provincial level, 705 of the 1,254 wildfires that burned in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta – or 56 per cent – were human-caused.
On average, the total number of human-caused wildfires in Alberta has been declining in the past five years, highlighting the importance of continued prevention work. We thank all of those that did their part in preventing wildfires and ask that the public and industry continue to use safe burning practices in the coming months. We want to remind everyone that the conditions are still right for a wildfire and the risk could be present year-round.
While fire permits are not required for burning outside of wildfire season in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, residents and industry planning a burn during winter should keep safe burning practices top of mind and follow Alberta Wildfire’s guidelines. These include carefully selecting the burn site, checking weather conditions and having the right tools, water and equipment on hand to keep it under control.
To assist the Edson Forest Area, please let us know if you plan any large scale winter burning by contacting the dispatch line directly (780) 723-8507 (leave a message if closed) 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 or if you require guidance, you can contact the local forest area or visit wildfire.alberta.ca for more information.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022, there have been 108 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 58.94 ha.
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 1,270 wildfires burning a total of 130,890 ha.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS
Albertans are always asked to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors:
- During wildfire season. 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: