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 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.
When the wildfire danger is low, we take the opportunity to do community outreach. We hope to see you at one of the many events happening this long weekend. Happy Canada Day!
EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains LOW due to significant precipitation and cool temperatures.
FIRESMART VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN ROBB & CADOMIN
Be advised that AB Wildfire crews will be working in the Robb and Cadomin area starting this weekend for the month of July. They 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.
FARM AND ACREAGE PRACTICES FOR WILDFIRE PREVENTION
FEED STORAGE AREAS
Dry bales are a magnet for sparks and embers and are usually one of the first things to ignite as a wildfire approaches. No matter how you store bales, once they ignite, the fire spreads quickly and is difficult to control or extinguish.
Fires can start in stored hay from radiant heat or spontaneous combustion. Spontaneous combustion usually occurs within six weeks of baling, but can occur in old hay and straw as well. Fire can occur in loose or baled hay and straw and is most often caused by excessive moisture. One of the best ways to prevent this is to ensure that the hay is cured to the proper moisture content before baling.
To minimize the spread of fire from straw and hay bales to the house or outbuildings, store bales a good distance away from any structures. The area between the bales and buildings should be maintained by reducing the amount of vegetation, preferably down to mineral soil or gravel. If you have grass in this area, it’s critical that it be kept mowed as short as possible. It is a good idea to store your winter supply of bales in a couple of different locations to minimize loss in the event of a fire. Use the bales closest to the house and outbuildings during the feeding season. That way when spring comes, you have a larger buffer between the house, outbuildings and the bales.
It’s important to clean up all the old hay and straw that accumulates in storage areas from broken bales and bale bottoms freezing down over the winter. Haul it out on the pasture for the livestock to pick through, spread it over the field like manure, or let your livestock graze on it.
To learn more on how you can protect your farm and acreage, visit our magazine by clicking here.
KIDS CAN CATCH
SATURDAY JULY 2, 2022 | KELLEY'S BATHTUB
THURSDAY JULY 7, 2022 | MILLERS LAKE DAY USE AREA
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.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022, there have been 57 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 39 ha.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 494 wildfires burning a total of 27,241 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.
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:
