A fire restriction remains in effect for all of the Edson Forest Area. No campfires on crown land are permitted and all fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
Use extreme caution if you are doing any work that will produce a spark, friction or hot exhaust. Wildfires will catch easily and burn quickly under these conditions.
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.
Ember the FireSmart fox recently joined the Edson Forest Area. She'll be accompanying Bertie Beaver this summer to many community events to spread the word on wildfire prevention tips and FireSmart advice. To learn more about Ember, visit her video. (April, 2024)
FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT
Human-caused wildfires are entirely preventable. Use extreme caution if you are doing any work that will produce a spark, friction or hot exhaust. A fire will quickly spread in dry and dead grass. If you’re using your OHV, remember to stop often, cool down your machine and check your hotspots. Grass can get stuck in the hot areas of your OHV, heat up and start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
Under this restriction:
- Existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed.
Prohibited on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas:
- All outdoor wood fires.
- Fires fueled exclusively by charcoal briquettes.
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets.
Allowed in designated campgrounds on private and public land, designated day use areas and on privately owned land:
- Safe wood campfires.
- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques.
- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances CSA approved or UL certified
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. To view restriction boundaries, visit AlbertaFireBans.ca.
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.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 22 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 69 hectares (ha). EWF017 was caused by an abandoned campfire near Millers Lake. Several of the newer wildfires were caused by hot works, welding and a hand lawnmower.
We ask that residents use extreme caution when working outdoors and keep watch of your surroundings. Sparks, hot exhaust or friction can ignite a wildfire in the exposed dry grass and vegetation.
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.
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. To view this wildfire on our interactive map, click here and follow the active wildfire link. The wildfire is estimated to be 60 ha in size. Firefighters will continue to monitor this wildfire until they are confident it's fully extinguished.
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 by following this link.
CARRY OVER WILDFIRES - All carry over wildfires in the Edson Forest Area from 2023 are fully extinguished. Alberta Wildfire firefighters performed patrols and extinguished hotspots throughout the winter. Once snow melted and conditions allowed, extensive high level heat scans were conducted using aircraft. These scans showed no hotspots on all of the wildfires.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 239 wildfires burning a total of 5,589 ha.
Last year on this date, there had been 225 wildfires that burnt a total of 748 ha. In the past 5 years on this date, an average of 167 wildfires burnt an average of 385 ha.
FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED
All burning within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta requires a burn permit, with the exception of a campfire. At this time, the Edson Forest Area is not issuing any new burn permits and all existing permits have been suspended or cancelled.
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 this link to learn more.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PERSONNEL WANTED
The Edson Forest Area is looking for two administrative support personnel. Our administrative positions provide support 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:
