Edson Area Update

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is MODERATE. This means that fire can ignite but would have difficulty spreading to deeper vegetation layers or larger fuels, such as trees. Creeping ground fires would not travel very fast as the grass is mostly green and there's sufficient moisture in the fine fuels. Be aware that as grass and other vegetation start to die and dry due to fall conditions, they'll be more available to burn. You can view the provincial wildfire danger map and learn more about how to interpret fire danger by clicking here.

Since January 1, 2023, there have been 79 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 234,558 ha. The last reported wildfire was on August 11. There are currently six active wildfires, all are classified as under control. One is human-caused, four are caused by lightning and one remains under investigation.

Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires, their locations and stats on the wildfire dashboard. 

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE 

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 998 wildfires burning a total of 1,969,050 ha. Last year, there were 1,082 wildfires by this date with a total of 128,392 ha burnt. The 5 year average on this date is 1,021 wildfires with a total of 206,322 ha burned.  

COOKING & WARMING FIRES

Cooking and warming fires are common this time of year and firefighters will find them often unattended or abandoned. We believe this may be unintentional because the public doesn't understand the risk these fires pose. Cooking and warming fires are slightly different from campfires because they're used for a short period of time and the hunter or recreationalist will often leave the area soon after. If you're having a cooking or warming fire during your hunt or ride, please be familiar with building it safely and how to properly extinguish it.

We recommend using an existing fire receptacle if possible, otherwise, choose a location that's on level ground, sheltered from the wind and on bare mineral soil. If you build your fire on peat or top soil, you risk creating a deep burning fire that could be challenging to extinguish. Keep it away from dry grass, leaves or branches and keep water close by. Be mindful that if you build it on snow, the fire can still burn into the ground and smoulder for a long period of time. The snow could also melt later that day, exposing dry vegetation. 

Before you leave, ensure you fully extinguish the fire, otherwise it could smoulder under ground for days or even weeks and re-surface when the conditions are right for a wildfire. Your fire isn't fully extinguished until the burnt wood and ashes are cool to the touch.

To learn more about campfire safety, visit our website by clicking here. 

FARM AND ACREAGE | WILDFIRE PREVENTION

Off-highway vehicle safety

Did You know? On average, over 30 wildfires are started by off-highway vehicles (OHVs) each year in Alberta’s FPA. Some of these result in very large and expensive wildfires, threatening homes and communities. Most OHV fires happen in the spring when the snow has melted and there is an abundance of dry grass in the forest.

How do OHVs start wildfires? The exhaust system of an OHV can heat up to temperatures in excess of 200°C. When riders travel through wet areas, debris can build up on the exhaust and next to engine hot spots. As the rider travels, the muskeg, grass or other debris dries out and is ignited by the hot engine. These burning pieces of debris can fall to the ground and cause a wildfire.

You can help prevent OHV wildfires. Before you ride, inspect your OHV and clear out any debris that has built up near the exhaust or other hot spots. Avoid riding in wet areas. If you do ride in a wet area, through muskeg or tall grass, stop frequently and remove all debris from your engine and hot spots before it can dry out, heat up, fall to the ground, and cause a wildfire. Stomp on smouldering debris or soak it with water until it is extinguished. Ensure the muffler and spark arresters on your OHV are in good working condition. Any alterations to the factory components of an OHV can greatly increase the chance of starting a wildfire. Always carry a small fire extinguisher, collapsible pail and shovel on your OHV. Make sure you extinguish any campfires you have when you are out riding.

For more information, visit the Farm and Acreage Magazine online by clicking here.

Know where your hotspots are on your OHV. Ensure you take the time to knock off any mud and dry vegetation that may have accumulated in these key areas. The clumps of mud mixed with peat or grass can catch on fire and land on the trail, starting a wildfire.

BEFORE YOU BURN IT, GET YOUR FIRE PERMIT

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. To view the video, click here.

PEMBINA WILDFIRE COMPLEX | EWF031, EWF039

EWF031 was detected on May 4, is 201,913 ha in size and determined to be caused by lightning.

EWF039 was detected on May 5, is 165 ha in size and determined to be human-caused. 

DEEP CREEK COMPLEX | WCU001, WCU002, EWF035