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.
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.
It isn't only the farmers' fields that dry out come fall, all vegetation looses moisture and increases the fire hazard. Take care when in the woods this fall.
IF YOU PLAN TO BURN IT - GET YOUR PERMIT
All burning within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta requires a burn permit, with the exception of campfires. 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.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is 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 103 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 289 ha.
These statistics are consistent with the average number of wildfires and hectares burnt for our forest area and reflect the proactive approaches to wildfire prevention and safe burning practices of residents and industry. Respecting fire bans and restrictions, following fire permit conditions and using care when having a campfire all contributed to reducing human-caused wildfires.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE EDSON FOREST AREA
EWF080 is now UNDER CONTROL. 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 and determined to be caused by lightning.
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 and UNDER CONTROL.
These wildfires are 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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
The fire danger is moderate high throughout most of Alberta, with areas of very high fire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area and the agricultural zone.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1,137 wildfires burning a total of 707,038 hectares (ha). Last year, on this date, there were 998 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,523 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 966 wildfires had burnt an average of 636,371 ha.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
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.
Now that fall is quickly approaching, we ask farm and acreage owners to start thinking about FireSmart options for their property. Here are some tips to get you started:
Barns and outbuildings | You can apply any of the vegetation management strategies to granaries, barns and outbuildings to reduce the threat of wildfire. If you cannot easily get into these areas to mow the grass, livestock can do a good job of cleaning up for you. Remember to manage vegetation in old corrals and unused corners of your yard. Mowing, grazing, weed-eating, treating with herbicide or gravelling are all ways you can manage this vegetation. Manage vegetation around dugouts and other water sources as well. This reduces the fire hazard and helps provide ready access for firefighters and their equipment. Keep these areas free of equipment, batteries, scrap iron, lumber, posts and other refuse. These items become a safety hazard for firefighters.
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 & INFORMATION
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.
- 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:
