FIRE BAN IN EFFECT - Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update

Grass and fine fuels are extremely dry and any spark, hot exhaust or friction can start a wildfire. Grass catches easily and burns out of control quickly. We ask that you use caution when you recreate or work in the outdoors and keep watch of your surroundings. If you suspect a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is MODERATE. There are currently no active wildfires.

Since March 1, 2020, there have been five wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning approximately 0.80 ha.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

There are currently eight wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Seven of these wildfires are under control and one has been turned over to the responsible party.

Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 33 wildfires burning a total of 2.27 ha.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca

FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

There is a fire ban in place inside the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, as well as in Alberta provincial parks and protected areas, until further notice.

Fire permits are suspended or cancelled. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, but will need to be approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited
• Safe wood campfires on public lands.
• Safe wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds.
• Backyard firepits, and
• Barbeques with charcoal briquettes.

Allowed
• Propane / natural gas powered appliances
• Open flame CSA approved oil devices
• Wood fires in an enclosed facility or device, which have a chimney with a spark arrestor
• OHVs

** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An enclosed facility or device is one that is fully contained with a chimney that has a spark arrestor. Users are still responsible for care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans. Approved activities or devices will not prevent potential prosecution or litigation if the user or device starts a wildfire.

OHV Usage

There are no off-highway vehicle restrictions currently in place in the Forest Protection area. As of right now, all Albertans may enjoy using their off-highway vehicles, including snow machines, on public land until conditions change.

An off-highway vehicle restriction in the Forest Protection Area will be reintroduced if there is an increase in the hazard level. This phased approach will allow us to address the wildfire risk area-by-area, allowing Albertans the freedom to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We will re-evaluate daily.

These steps are part of a number of actions the department is implementing to help mitigate wildfire risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking action in advance to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires will allow Alberta Wildfire to make the best possible use of resources when the availability of firefighters could be reduced because of the pandemic.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will be monitoring conditions, including the availability of firefighting crews and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fire Ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Please visit AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected area.

For more information, please contact:

Caroline Charbonneau

Wildfire Information Officer | Edson Forest Area

Mobile: 780-740-1341

Email: Caroline.charbonneau@gov.ab.ca

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