Edson Area Update

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - February 28, 2023

Posted on Tue, Feb 28, 2023

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-low.jpg

Wildfire season begins tomorrow. All current winter burns will need to be fully extinguished by today unless you have a fire permit, with the exception of campfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

If you require a permit for any new burning, you can apply online or contact your local forest area office.

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


3 Feb 28 Burn PilesReturn to your fall and winter burns and ensure they are fully extinguished. Cold trail along the sides by looking, smelling and carefully feeling with your bare hand for any signs of smoke or heat.


FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED

Fire season officially starts tomorrow and all existing burns must be fully extinguished unless you're in possession of a fire permit. All new burning will require a fire permit, with the exception of a campfire, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

If you're burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire will be considered a wildfire. Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape and help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to reported smoke.

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.

CHECK YOUR WINTER BURNS

Remember to revisit all fall and winter burn piles before March 1 and throughout the spring. When checking your winter burns, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. If you see or smell smoke or feel heat with your bare hand, the fire is still burning. Douse any remaining hotspots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes. If fires aren’t properly put out, they can spread and burn underground or under the snow and ice. Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires.

For more information regarding fire permits, you can view our video by clicking here or see our Fire Permits - Safe Burning Practices information pamphlet.

Remove Debris Permit Video


EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023, there have been three wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 1.65 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 nine wildfires burning a total 2.91 ha.


WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

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


2023_start_of_wildfire_season_hubspot_image

 ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

 facebook.jpg  twitter.jpg  instagram.jpg

For more information, please contact: 

Caroline Charbonneau
Wildfire Information Officer | Edson Forest Area
Cell:  780-740-1341
caroline.charbonneau@gov.ab.ca
 
 
Caroline Button High Qua
RELATED INFORMATION