With the increase in temperatures and other favourable conditions, industry has initiated controlled brush pile burning.
Be advised that caution should be exercised while travelling within the Edson Forest Area as visibility may be impaired due to smoke.
We ask that you continue to use caution at all times when working and recreating in the outdoors and keep watch of your surroundings. Exposed cured dry grass can ignite easily and burn quickly. If you suspect a wildfire, please report it to 310 FIRE.
Residents are not required to contact Alberta Wildfire outside of fire season when burning, however we appreciate the information in the event that smoke is reported by the public. You can contact the Forestry Office at 780-723-8527.
MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE BURNING OPERATIONS
Please be advised that Mountain Pine Beetle survey and control operations are underway. You can expect to see smoke or flame in the forest in some areas.
There are two ares of control this year in our area. One is located 30 km's S & SE of Edson. The other is scattered east of the community of Grande Cache. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact the Information Officer at (780) 723-8500.
To learn more about Mountain Pine Beetle, visit out website by clicking here.
We want to remind the public that other industries are also conducting burning projects during this time.
WINTER BURNING
Many landowners and industry representatives will be conducting winter burning. We ask that you always use caution when burning and that you are aware of the following:
- To assist the Edson Forest Area in regards to reports of smoke or flame, we ask that you contact the dispatch line (780) 723-8507 with the following:
- Name of landowner burning or company and representative name.
- Phone number in case of emergency.
- Legal land description or latitude/longitude.
- Ensure that you have the proper tools with you at any burn site, including an axe, two shovels and at least 200 litres of water.
- Do not burn if the wind speed is over 15 km/h. Wind can pick up sparks or embers and start a wildfire if the conditions are right.
- As with any burning, do not attempt to burn more then you can control.
- Frequently check your burns, especially in the spring. A smoldering fire can burrow under the ground and re-surface months later.
- If you have any questions about proper burning procedures, visit alberta.ca or phone 310-0000.
You can refer to the Brush Piles and Windrows Pamphlet for more information and safe burning practices.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE | FIRE SEASON 2019
The Edson Forest Area (EFA) currently has 0 active wildfires.
Since March 1, 2019, there were 66 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area which burnt approximately 266.3 ha. In the past 5 years, the average number of wildfires was 100 per year.
Of the 66 wildfires in our area, 4 were caused by lightning and 62 were caused by humans. The percentage of human caused wildfires in the EFA this year was 93%. The average in the past 5 years was 74%. Some of the reasons the wildfire numbers were down compared to previous years attributes to the fire ban that was placed in the spring that limited recreational wildfires and the above average rainfall.
Did you know that there are only 2 causes of wildfires? Those causes are human and lighting. Human wildfires are 100% preventable which means that the EFA could have had just 4 wildfires this year. Do your part in learning how you can prevent wildfires. Visit wildfire.alberta.ca and click on Prevention.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE | FIRES SEASON 2019
Since March 1, 2019, Alberta has recorded 989 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 883,412.27 hectares.
For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca
WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS
- Get a permit if you're within the Forest Protection Area and you plan on burning with the exception of a campfire. For permit information, Click Here.
- 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.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION
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