A fire advisory remains in effect for the Edson Forest Area.
Don't let the little bit of snow fool you. Dry grass and vegetation is exposed again and any spark, hot exhaust or friction can cause a wildfire.
Winds are expected to increase tomorrow and into the weekend. Keep watch of your surroundings and do not burn unless the conditions of your burn permit allow.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
This update is best viewed on a web browser or the AB Wildfire Status App | To view previous Edson Forest Area Updates - Click here. Bold indicates new or important information.
Wildland firefighters are hotspotting EWF015, looking and feeling for hotspots in the ground. The wildfire will not be classified as extinguished until all hotspots are cold to the touch. (April 18, 2024)
EWF015 is classified as UNDER CONTROL. This means that the wildfire is completely contained and will be extinguished. The wildfire is located 28 km north northeast of Obed Lake, 35 km northwest of Edson and 55 km northeast of Hinton (north of the intersection of the Swanson Road and the Emerson Road). To view this wildfire on our interactive map, click here and follow the active wildfire link.
The wildfire is now estimated to be 60 ha in size. The size increase is not due to wildfire activity. Forest officers had improved access to the wildfire today and were able to get more accurate measurements of the burnt perimeter. You can also see the public map by clicking here.
Today, two excavators, two water trucks and two skidders with water tanks are supporting 31 firefighters with their efforts. Fire crews continue extinguishing hotspots, which consists of digging into the ground, looking and feeling for any hotspots that could re-surface and dousing it with water. They are reporting fewer hotspots on the perimeter. Once the snow is melted, firefighters will be able to better assess the burnt areas. Crews and heavy equipment plan on returning tomorrow and into the weekend to continue looking for and extinguishing hotspots.
This wildfire does not pose a threat to any community. The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.
Visit TC Energy's website for additional information: https://www.tcenergy.com/newsroom/statements/
EWF015 is showing fewer signs of heat and smoke. Firefighters and heavy equipment are working today on extinguishing the hotspots and will return tomorrow. (April 18, 2024)
- New permits will be considered on a case-by-case basis, only for essential burning.
- Existing fire permits are valid but extension requests may not be granted. Permit holders must follow the safe burning conditions outlined on the fire permit.
- New fire permits will not be issued for non-essential heavy fuel burning such as machine-piled brush piles and windrows.
- Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire is prohibited.
Stay informed on fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking www.albertafirebans.ca.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains MODERATE. This means that creeping or gentle surface fire is likely. If wildfire is in dead grass and it's windy, the fire could move quickly. Keep watch of your surroundings when working outside. Sparks, hot exhaust or friction can ignite a wildfire in the exposed dry grass and vegetation.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 16 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 68.50 ha.
There are six "carry over" wildfires from the 2023 wildfire season still listed in the Edson Forest Area. They are all classified as under control. These wildfires may not be active at the moment but will stay listed until we are confident they are fully extinguished.
It may take several weeks or months before these carryover wildfires are classified as extinguished. Alberta Wildfire began high level heat scans in the past two weeks. At this time, no hotspots were found on the northern borders of EWF031 and other wildfires in our area. The scans will continue when specific ground and moisture conditions are met. Too much snow or rain can cover hotspots which won’t be picked up by the scanner until snow is melted.
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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 152 wildfires burning a total of 579 ha.
Last year during this week, there had been 48 wildfires that burnt a total of 82 ha. In the past 5 years on this date, an average of 62 wildfires burnt an average of 92 ha.
FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED
All burning within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta requires a burn permit, with the exception of campfire. You can get your free fire permit by applying online or contact your local forest area office. At this time, the Edson Forest Area is not issuing any new burn permits for machine pile brush piles or any other large debris pile until conditions improve. Any other permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
To request your free fire permit, contact the local forest area: (780) 723-8527 or you can request your permit using the 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.
FIRESMART YOUR HOME
More so than ever before, Canadians are feeling the direct and indirect impacts of wildfire. There is a growing need for FireSmart education. FireSmart Canada has developed a FREE one-hour course for those who are getting started with FireSmart and want to learn more.
Follow the link: https://firesmartalberta.ca/training/
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PERSONNEL WANTED
The Forest Area is looking for administrative support personnel. Two positions are available in Edson. Our administrative positions provide support to a wide range of operations within the Government of Alberta. To learn more about the position or to apply, click here.
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:
