Starting March 1, all current winter burns will need to be fully extinguished and all new burning will require a permit, with the exception of a campfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
If your burning projects might extend into fire season, apply online or contact your forest area for your free burn permit prior to wildfire season.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
EWF002 was detected on February 12, 2023 and is now being held at 1.0 ha in size. Wildfires can occur at anytime of year. Use extra caution when burning especially in lower elevations on west and south facing slopes where dry grass is more likely to be exposed.
WILDFIRE SEASON STARTS MARCH 1
Fire season starts in less then a month which means now is a good time to complete your burning projects. Starting March 1, fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
Starting March 1, all existing winter burns will need to be fully extinguished. If your burning project might extend into fire season, we ask that you apply for your free burn permit a few days prior to February 28.
Following safe burning practices will help prevent holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although snow helps reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that you check regularly all fall and winter burn sites to ensure that the fire is out. Walk the burn area and roll over any debris to check for hot spots. The best way to find hotspots is to look for visible signs of burning such as melting snow around the edges, touch the burn area with your hands and smell for smoke.
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.
SMOKE MANAGEMENT AND INVERSIONS
Before you burn check the weather forecast. If an inversion is expected, smoke can be trapped close to the ground overnight reducing visibility and causing dangerous driving conditions and can affects those with smoke related health concerns.
WHAT IS AN INVERSION?
As temperatures start to cool early in the evening, the air closest to the earth’s surface will cool faster than the air above the surface. This is opposite of what air normally does. Normally air cools with the increase of height above the surface. The heat from the surface of the land is radiated back up into the atmosphere, warming the air above this shallow area near the ground, and since cold air is denser than warm air, the areas near the surface become colder than above.
The inversion happens when cold air is trapped near the ground by warmer air. The cool air near the surface cannot escape upwards and this creates a layer in which smoke from winter burning is trapped along the ground surface as it cannot mix out and rise.
HOW TO PREVENT SMOKE FROM LAYING LOW?
Check the weather forecast and plan your burns when inversions aren't likely to occur. If you see smoke (or steam from the mill) rising directly into the atmosphere, that's the best time to burn to limit smoke issues.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023, there have been three wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 1.35 ha.
Wildfires occasionally happen during winter conditions, be aware of your surroundings and ensure you always have sufficient firefighting equipment in case your fire escapes.
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, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been seven wildfires burning a total 2.55 ha.
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:
