A fire restriction is no longer in effect for all of the Edson Forest Area. Safe campfires on crown land are permitted and fire permits are available to request through the online portal or by contacting the Forestry office.
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.
Our administrative personnel provide support to a wide range of operations within the GOA including the Wildfire Management Branch. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that this team provides us. (May 2, 2024)
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is now LOW. This means that a fire can still ignite but is not expected to spread to deeper vegetation layers or larger fuels, such as trees.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 26 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 70 hectares (ha).
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
EWF024 is classified as UNDER CONTROL and estimated to be 0.20 ha in size. The wildfire is located 6 km southeast of Edson, on the south side of the McLeod River. This wildfire will be monitored for fire activity.
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. Visit TC Energy's website for additional information by following this link.
These wildfires do not pose a threat to any community. The cause of the wildfires remain under investigation
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 249 wildfires burning a total of 5,586 ha.
Last year on this date, there had been 277 wildfires that burnt a total of 923 ha. In the past 5 years on this date, an average of 189 wildfires burnt an average of 553 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 this link to learn more.
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:
