The area is experiencing low humidity, warm temperatures and strong gusty winds up to 60 km/h. These conditions allow for intense fire behaviour. You must have a permit, with the exception of a campfire, to do any burning. This includes grass, yard clean up, debris piles and any other materials.
Use extreme caution if you are having a campfire and do not burn if conditions are windy. Never leave your campfire unattended and ensure it's fully extinguished before you leave the site.
Airtankers will be doing live practices over the weekend from the Edson Airtanker Base. These exercises help the base personnel train and new staff obtain their certification.
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.
Helitack, firetack and unit crews are currently working on EWF015. To learn more about Alberta Wildfire firefighter types or how we fight fire, click here. (April 20, 2024)
THREE CARRY OVER WILDFIRES NOW CLASSIFIED AS EXTINGUISHED
As of today, 2023 wildfires WCU001 (Evansburg), WCU002 (Wildwood), EWF035 (Shiningbank) are now classified as extinguished. Alberta Wildfire firefighters performed patrols and extinguished hotspots through the winter. Once snow melted and conditions allowed, extensive high level heat scans using aircraft were conducted. These scans showed no hotspots on the three wildfires listed above.
JOINT MESSAGE FROM YELLOWHEAD COUNTY AND ALBERTA WILDFIRE
We would like to acknowledge all the momentous work and dedication of our firefighters and support organizations put forth during last year’s wildfires.
The provincial and local crews worked seamlessly during this time and achieved amazing results and put in enormous amounts of extra time and effort in all aspects of our operations.
We would also like to acknowledge our residents for their resiliency. Their determination, understanding, and cooperation during this difficult time was a crucial part in helping our crews fight these wildfires. Our focus continues to be the safety of our residents as we move into this year’s wildfire season.
The importance of FireSmarting properties is very important to protecting your property from the effects of a wildfire. This is an important step that anyone can take to help prevent damage to your home. Your efforts can help protect your homes and help protect our first responders.
Thank you to all the firefighters, residents, and everyone else who persevered through the events of last spring’s wildfires in our region and all those who supported our community.
REMAINING CARRY OVER WILDFIRES
The remaining three "carry over" wildfires from the 2023 wildfire season will remain classified as under control until firefighters are confident they are fully extinguished. This includes EWF031 (Edson), EWF039 and the Wildhay complex.
Alberta Wildfire is continuing to preform high level heat scans when conditions allow. The scans will be performed 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.
At this time, no hotspots were found on the northern borders of EWF031.
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.
We ask that if you see smoke or flame in the forest, report it to 310-FIRE.
- 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.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE EDSON FOREST AREA
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. You can also see the public map by clicking here.
Today, two excavators, two water trucks and two skidders with water tanks are supporting 20 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 continue digging into brush piles that had ignited during the incident. The crews are also gridding the tree line, ensuring no hotspots remain. They've found two chicots (dead standing trees) still burning within the tree. This can occur if embers fly up and land inside the dead top or in cracks and crevices on the trunks and branches. Crews will cut these hazard trees down carefully and extinguish them fully.
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/
Crews are cutting down danger trees, allowing for a safe work environment while searching for and extinguishing hotspots (April 19, 2024).
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains HIGH. This means that forest fuels like grass and branches are dry and fire risk is serious. Moderate to vigorous surface fire is expected, which may spread to treetops. Conditions may be challenging for fire suppression efforts. 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 18 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 68 ha. EWF017 was caused by an abandoned campfire near Millers Lake and detected on April 19. Do not leave your campfire unattended and ensure you fully extinguish it before you leave the site. An abandoned campfire can start a wildfire and under these conditions, will burn quickly.
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 168 wildfires burning a total of 583 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.
JOIN ALBERTA WILDFIRE AT THE EDSON AND DISTRIC TRADE SHOW
Join us at the Edson Trade Show next week. Take the opportunity to chat with both wildfire and forestry professionals, learn some great wildfire prevention tips, FireSmart advice and take home your own seedling to celebrate AB Forest Week! Visit their website to learn more: Trade Show - Edson Chamber of Commerce.
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:
