The wildfire danger is expected to keep climbing until the area receives significant precipitation. Please use extra caution when working or recreating outdoors.
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 | View previous Edson Forest Area Updates. Bold indicates new or important information.
Air Tankers are situated at a variety of air bases across Alberta, ready for a quick response.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains HIGH. This means that 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.
Fire danger is a relative index depicting forest environment conditions, how a fire will behave and how much damage a fire could do. View the forecasted fire danger map.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 96 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 284 ha.
WEATHER FORECAST tomorrow calls for a high of 25 degrees, with 30% relative humidity. There is a possibility of periods of rain and thunder showers this evening and tomorrow. Winds from the West at 10 - 15 km/h are expected.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE EDSON FOREST AREA
EWF096 is now BEING HELD, 69 km northeast of Grande Cache and 95 km north of Hinton. It's estimated to be 8 ha in size. Firefighting and heavy equipment will continue work on this fire.
EWF080 is now UNDER CONTROL. This means that the wildfire is completely contained and will be extinguished. This wildfire is located in Willmore Wilderness Park, 50 km south-southeast of Grande Cache and 80 km west of Hinton. It's estimated to be 70 ha in size. The wildfire will be monitored for activity and actioned if required.
EBZ001 is a mutual aid wildfire on the border of British Columbia and the Edson Forest Area, within Willmore Wilderness Park. It's currently burning 56 km southwest of Grande Cache, 98 km west of Rock Lake and 147 km west-northwest of Hinton. It is estimated to be 340 ha in size. The wildfire is being monitored by firefighters and will be actioned if required.
No communities are threatened by these wildfires. Learn more about wildfire classifications on our website and view active wildfires, their locations and stats on the interactive map on our Wildfire Status page.
NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an approximate location of hotspots in an area, but cannot always be used to determine specifically where a wildfire is burning. The heat from smoke columns, reflections from water and other heat signatures will appear on the map. It's important to note that the data is based on a mathematical estimate (interpolation) and can often make a wildfire appear larger than it actually is.
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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
The fire danger is mainly MODERATE to HIGH for the foothills and rockies.
The boreal remains VERY HIGH to EXTREME. The agricultural zone is mostly high to very high expect the southeast corner is extreme.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1,065 wildfires burning a total of 615,678 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 968 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,512 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 866 wildfires had burnt an average of 633,738 ha.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK
An evacuation order has been issued for Jasper National Park and the Town of Jasper. There is no threat to communities in Yellowhead County, the Town of Hinton or the Town of Edson.
ANP002 is a mutual aid wildfire that is currently burning within Jasper National Park. The wildfire is outside of the Forest Protection Area. You can view the latest wildfire update on the Jasper National Park - Wildfire Status Updates.
Update as of August 13. The wildfire that is currently located north and south of Jasper, along Highway 16 and highway 93, has NOT entered into, or near Snaring River Campground. The campground is 25 km from the Alberta-Jasper boundary, 33 km from Brule, 48 km from highway 40 (north and south) and 50 km from Hinton. No communities in the Edson Forest Area (Yellowhead County) are threatened by these wildfires.
Check Alberta Emergency Alerts for up-to-date information on evacuation alerts and orders and Alberta 511 for road conditions and closures.
FIRESMART YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY
FireSmart is a national program that helps Canadians increase their resilience to wildfire. Whether you are a homeowner, resident, business, local government, or Indigenous community, you can take small steps with lasting impacts.
Have you been introduced to Ember yet? Watch her story and see how our favorite FireSmart fox helps the people in Maple Grove stay FireSmart.
You and your family can learn more by downloading Ember's activity book.
It's never too late to participate. Learn how you can FireSmart your home and property! Visit FireSmart Alberta. For farm or acreages, you can download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.
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.
- 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.
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:
