Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - June 2, 2024

Ensure you use caution when working and recreating outdoors. Use care if welding, grinding or other hot works that can cause a spark, friction or hot exhaust.

Sparks from your campfire can land in nearby dry vegetation causing a wildfire. If you leave your campfire unattended, it may be too late to prevent the spread of an escaped fire. Always ensure you fully extinguish your campfire before leaving.  

If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

Bertie Beaver attended a FireSmart info session with the Town of Edson and Western Financial Group yesterday. Bertie promotes wildfire prevention, FireSmart education and sometimes teaches his firefighting skills (June 1, 2024).

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

The fire danger remains HIGH. Under these conditions, forest fuels 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. To view the forecasted fire danger map, click here.

If you are burning, ensure you follow the conditions of your permit. Recreationalists having campfires, be aware of wind conditions and ensure you have sufficient water and tools nearby.

• Never burn during windy conditions. 
• Never burn more then you can control. 
• Always have sufficient firefighting tools and water nearby.
• If your fire escapes, contact 310-FIRE as soon as possible to allow firefighters time to dispatch and help extinguish the fire.

WILDFIRES IN THE EDSON FOREST AREA

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 39 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 85 hectares (ha).

EWF039 is located 15 km north of highway 16, 31 km west northwest of Edson, south of Sundance Lakes. The wildfire is now classified as UNDER CONTROL and estimated to be four hectares in size. This wildfire will be monitored for activity and actioned when needed until firefighters are confident it will not re-ignite.

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

The fire danger is forecast to be moderate to high in the central regions, very high in the southern regions and the northwestern corner and low along the northeast.

Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 395 wildfires burning a total of 27,986 ha. 

Last year, on this date, there was 561 wildfires that burnt a total of  1,460,081 ha. In the past 5 years on this date, an average of 446 wildfires burnt an average of 442,841 ha. 

SAFE CAMPFIRES

As the weather gets better and more of us head into the woods for some rest and relaxation please make sure you NEVER LEAVE A CAMPFIRE UNATTENDED.

Here are a few tips that will help ensure a safe campfire:

• Never leave your campfire unattended. Before you leave your campfire, ensure you fully extinguish it by soaking the ashes, stirring them and soaking them again until they are cool to the touch.

• Choose a safe site that is out of the wind and on bare mineral ground. Ensure that sparks can't fly into nearby dry fuels or grass. A spark will fly farther then you think.

• Ensure you have sufficient firefighting equipment including water near by. Don't take chances. A spark in dry grass will ignite easily and spread very quickly if the wind is present. 
  
• Remember to visit albertafirebans.ca before heading out to find the latest information about fire bans across the province.

Alberta Wildfire typically sees an increase in human-caused wildfires during the spring and during the long weekends so do your part and prevent wildfires.

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 (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

FireSmart is more than a collection of best-practices, programs, resources, and tools. FireSmart is a way of living with and managing the risk of wildfire. It is a shared responsibility between government, community leaders, neighbourhoods, and residents. Together, we can build a wildfire resilient Alberta. A FireSmart Alberta.

Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow. Flames aren’t the only threat. An estimated 90% of homes damaged or destroyed by wildfire are ignited by embers.  By taking proactive FireSmart measures around your house and yard, you can increase your properties’ resistance to wildfire.

To learn more on how you can protect your home, visit FireSmart Alberta. For farm or acreages, you can download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.

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.
• If you are working within the Forest Protection of Alberta, you must carry sufficient firefighting equipment as per the Forest Prairie and Protection Act. 
• 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.