The risk of a wildfire could be present year-round depending on weather conditions and snow levels. Monitor the weather forecast and check your winter burns.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
Planning on cutting your own Christmas tree this season? Apply for your free tree cutting permit online by clicking here.
This update is best viewed on a web browser or the AB Wildfire Status App | To view previous Edson Forest Area Updates - Click here.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is LOW. Above seasonal temperatures and the lack of precipitation for the past months have increased the risk of a wildfire in the forest area. This means that a fire can easily ignite where there is exposed dead or dry vegetation.
A wildfire is likely to burn into the ground and smoulder for a long period of time. This is why it is important to fully extinguish any cooking or warming fires while recreating or hunting and to use extra caution if burning debris.
A wildfire could also burn quickly in dead or dry grass since there's no snow cover to prevent the spread. It would also have the potential to climb into the trees.
Wildland firefighters are on standby and ready to respond if a wildfire does start. We ask that if you see smoke or flame in the forest, report it to 310-FIRE.
Since January 1, 2023, there have been 88 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 234,558 ha. There are currently six active wildfires, all are classified as under control. Of the active wildfires, one is human-caused, four are caused by lightning and two remain under investigation.
The wildfires will continue to be monitored for activity and be actioned by local wildland firefighting crews when needed. A reclamation plan has begun and equipment have started working on identified areas. This work is anticipated to continue into the winter months.
None of these wildfires pose a threat to any communities or properties, including the Town of Edson. To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here.
Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires, their locations and stats on the wildfire dashboard.
PERMITS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED UNTIL MARCH 1
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 some of the following:
- Carefully select your burn site and do not burn until you have good snow cover in the area.
- Check weather conditions and refrain from burning when an inversion is in place or is forecasted.
- Actively manage burn projects to reduce total burning time.
- Burn debris in stages so that you can adapt to changing weather conditions and reduce smoke.
- Ensure you have the right tools, water and equipment on hand to keep the burn under control.
- Consult your local municipality on how to safely undertake larger winter burning projects near communities or roads.
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 our webpage.
For additional information on brush piles, windrows and winter burning, click here.
ENSURE YOU FULLY EXTINGUISH YOUR COOKING & WARMING FIRES
Cooking and warming fires are common this time of year and firefighters often find them 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 how to build 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 resurface 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.
FIRESMART COMMUNITY PREPARDNESS DAY
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is a national campaign that encourages citizens to take actions that increase their home, neighbourhood and community’s resilience to wildfire.
Residents of all ages all over the country are encouraged to come together at any time from May to October to host events and work on projects that raise awareness of wildfire risk and increase their resilience to it.
To learn more, visit their website by clicking here. Deadline to apply: January 31, 2024.
If you are interested in this initiative and would like additional ideas, please contact Caroline Charbonneau at 780-740-1341.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS & TOOLS
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.
- For road closure information, please visit 511.alberta.ca
- For information regarding smoke in the area, you can visit firesmoke.ca
- NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an idea of the location of wildfires in the area, but note that the data is based on interpolation and often can make the wildfire look larger then it actually is.
- To view the provincial wildfire danger map, click here.
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:
