Edson Area Update

There are multiple EVACUATION ORDERS & ALERTS in the Province. Please visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.

A FIRE BAN and OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION is in effect for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Edson Forest Area.

If you’re in the sky, we can’t fly. Please do not fly drones in an area of active wildfire. Drones halt air operations and we will have to wait for the airspace to be clear. Drones can endanger our aircraft and crews that are needed to work on the wildfire. The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely.

Smoke will be heavy tomorrow morning in the areas of Wildwood, Lobstick, Hansonville, Evansburg and Entwistle. Lingering smoke will be seen along highway 16 and highway 22 and in affected communities. A smoke inversion happens when cooler air is trapped near the ground by a layer of warmer air above it and the inversion will keep smoke close the ground level. Smoke inversions can cause dangerous driving conditions and impact nearby communities. 

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GENERAL INFORMATION ON WILDFIRES IN OUR AREA

Recently the weather has been favourable for firefighting efforts, however the forecast is calling for increasing temperatures, high winds, and low relative humidity beginning on Saturday. These conditions are likely to cause elevated wildfire danger and increased wildfire behaviour, which will be challenging to wildfire operations within the Edson Forest Area.

Firefighters, aircraft, and heavy equipment have been working in conjunction with county and municipal firefighting services as aggressively as possible to make progress on these wildfires while the conditions have been favourable. Even with all of this hard work, there are still hundreds of kilometres of uncontained wildfire perimeter and fire behaviour forecasts indicate that there will be growth on many of the wildfires throughout the region.

While we always appreciate people calling in to report wildfires, the large volume of calls we are currently receiving is diverting our resources away from other essential tasks. As always, please still call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported, but assume that large columns of smoke and burned over areas have already been detected and reported. Thank you!

(Crews working to extinguish hotspots - May 12)

Visit our Wildfire Dashboard to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard. 

For road closure information, please visit: https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts 

Wildfire smoke is a tool used for the location of smoke firesmoke.ca

ACTIVE WILDFIRES

PEMBINA WILDFIRE COMPLEX - includes EWF031/039, RWF034/040

EWF031 was detected on May 4 and is located 25 km west of Lodgepole, 20 km northwest of Brazeau Dam and 14 km southeast of Edson. The fire is classified as out of control and is estimated to be 82,666 ha in size. There are 72 firefighters and support staff being shared between this fire and EWF039. There are 20 pieces of heavy equipment three helicopters, and five additional helicopters assigned to the complex. Personnel are making good progress building containment lines on the northern flank. Helicopters are aiding crews and heavy equipment with bucket support. Minimal perimeter growth occurred today, and rank 1 fire behaviour was observed (smouldering ground fire and slow rate of spread). This was due to fair and stable weather conditions, however, a warming and drying trend will start tomorrow and is expected to continue for several days.

(Aerial view of the northwest corner of EWF-031 - May 12)

EWF039 located near Carrot Creek, is currently burning being held. The fire is estimated to be 216 ha. There are 72 firefighters and support staff being shared between this fire and EWF031. Personnel made good progress yesterday reinforcing the containment line that was successfully completed around the wildfire area.

RWF034 is located near the O'Chiese Reserve and classified as out of control. The fire is currently estimated at 67,042 ha in size. There are 20 firefighters and support staff working on this wildfire along with helicopters and heavy equipment. There are three helicopters assigned to the fire and five additional helicopters assigned to the complex. In addition, there are 20 pieces of heavy equipment. Crews are focused on locating and extinguishing hot spots within the O'Chiese Reserve and are utilizing direct attack along the constructed guard.

RWF040 is located 6 km northeast of the Forestry Trunk Road and Brown Creek Provincial Recreational Area and is classified as out of control. The fire is estimated to be 2,200 ha in size.

If you have any questions or concerns about the PEMBINA COMPLEX please call the Wildfire Information Officer at 250-318-8375.

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(Aerial view of EWF-035 - May 12)

DEEP CREEK WILDFIRE COMPLEX – includes EWF035, WCU001/002 

WCU001 was detected on April 29 and is classified as out of control. The wildfire has been reassessed and is now 7,254 ha in size. The wildfire did cross west over the Pembina River and spread north where it did travel over Highway 16. The wildfire continued to spread parallel with Highway 16 as it moved further west where the wildfire spread just north of Wildwood and towards Chip Lake. Tomorrow crews will continue to work north of Wildwood and along Highway 16 extinguishing hotspots. Crews will be present with pumps and hose within communities and nearby homes as they work to extinguish hotspots that are still smouldering. There will be smoke north of Wildwood as crews work to extinguish a major hotspot area. Alberta Wildfire is assisting Parkland County with this wildfire. 

WCU002 was detected on the evening of April 29 and is a mutual aid wildfire located on both sides of Highway 22, north of Highway 16. The wildfire is currently burning out of control. The wildfire is estimated to be 2,400 ha in size. Smoke that will be visible to residents in the area is from the interior of the fire and is surrounded by burned out areas, unlikely to grow from within. There will be smoke south of the fire boundary as crews and heavy equipment work in an area that has a high amount of peat vegetation. Smoke will linger along Highway 16 as crews work to extinguish hotspots. The wildfire has stayed south of Township Road 550 and east of Range Road 92 and west of Range Road 75. Alberta Wildfire and Yellowhead County are actioning this wildfire. 

EWF035 was detected on May 5 and is located 3 km east of Shining Bank. This wildfire is classified as out of control and estimated to be 5,332 ha in size. The wildfire is south of Township Road 570, west of Range Road 123, north of Township Road 560 and east of Shining Bank Lake. 

There are crews and heavy equipment allocated to the wildfire and they're working to establish containment lines to prevent further spread into rural properties. Tomorrow groups of heavy equipment are going to be working on the south end of the perimeter to create a fire break. Airtankers will drop retardant lines to provide more containment for the wildfire again on the northeast side of the wildfire. Helicopters will drop water to extinguish larger hotspots on the south boundary line. These perimeter lines will help build-up containment levels on the north and south side of the wildfire as this is a priority area. Alberta Wildfire is assisting Yellowhead County and Woodlands County with this wildfire. 

Structure Protection crews from Yellowhead County, Woodlands County and the Whitecourt Fire Department have installed sprinkler protection on houses in the immediate area of EWF-035. 

To stay alert for any evacuation information please visit Alberta Emergency Alerts.

51 firefighters are working alongside 24 pieces of heavy equipment on this complex. Additionally, nine helicopters performed bucketing operations on the wildfires near affected communities.  

Tomorrow weather will remain in the high 20's and winds will increase out of the south-southeast at 15-20 km/h with gusts of 35 km/h.  

We encourage anyone who suspects a wildfire that is not indicated on our app to report it to 310-FIRE.

If you have any questions or concerns about the DEEP CREEK COMPLEX please call the Wildfire Information Officer at 780-653-0153 and press 2 for information. 

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WILD HAY WILDFIRE COMPLEX - EWF037 and EWF040

There are multiple wildfires located south of the Little Smoky River, north of the Wild Hay River and east of Hwy 40 north. These also include the areas near the Willow Haul road and the Jack Wright road north of Hinton. These wildfires were formerly reported as five separate fires, but due to more accurate GPS measuring, have been determined to be two larger fires. EWF037 is out of control at 578 ha and EWF040 is out of control at 684 ha. EWF040 displayed active fire behaviour today and airtankers were required. Four firefighters have been assigned to the fire. Heavy equipment continues to establish containment lines around these wildfires.

The above wildfires remain under investigation. To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here. 

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PUBLIC WILDFIRE MAPS

Edson Forest Area Overview Map - May 6, 2023 - public map - Click here.

Deep Creek Wildfire Complex (EWF-035, WCU002 and WCU001) May 10th, 2023 - public map - Click here.

Pembina Wildfire Complex (EWF031, EWF039, RWF034, RWF040) May 9, 2023 - public map - Click here.

EWF035 Wildfire May 10, 2023 - public map - Click here. 

Note: The wildfire perimeter map is an estimate based on measurements such as GPS, aerial scanning and satellite imagery. This estimated perimeter can change as more accurate measurements become available. Areas within the fire perimeter may not have been affected by wildfire. 

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Provincial State of Emergency

Hot, dry conditions continue in most areas of the province resulting in numerous wildfires. A provincial state of emergency has been declared. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information - Click here. 

DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES!

The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely.

*Transport Canada

The NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an idea of the location of wildfires in the area, but it should be noted that this data is based on interpolation and often can make a wildfire appear larger than it actually is.

Volunteer Information

Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province, please contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca. Please do not contact Edson Forest Area logistics directly, as they are extremely busy supporting the wildfire situation in the area. Thank you.

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COMMUNITY EMERGENCY INFORMATION - EVACUATIONS

A MESSAGE FROM THE MUNICIPALITIES

If you are evacuating, gather important documents, medication, and enough food and water to be away from home for at least 3 days. Take pets with you.

For updates from Yellowhead County and Town of Edson, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty  or www.yhcounty.ca for updates. Evacuees can call 1-833-334-4630 for more information.

For updates from Parkland County, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ParklandCountyAB. Residents in the affected areas can contact the Emergency Information Line at 1-780-968-8888.

For residents with health concerns related to smoke you can find the air quality map here: https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-air-quality-health-index.aspx

If you have smoke related health concerns, please contact AB 811 click here for more information.

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• All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
• No new Fire Permits will be issued 

• All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
• Backyard firepits
• BBQ charcoal briquettes 
• The use of fireworks and exploding targets
• The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails

• Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
• Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)

• Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor

• All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards

• Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.

• Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.

• Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands. 

Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

WE URGE RESIDENTS AND RECREATIONALISTS TO USE EXTRA CAUTION

Due to the current dry grass, warm weather and possible windy conditions, there is an increased risk of wildfires in the Edson Forest Area. We urge residents and visitors to exercise caution and take the following precautions:

• Do not start any fires or use open flames in areas that are susceptible to catching fire, such as near dry vegetation like grass or wooded areas.
• Dispose of cigarettes and other smoking materials properly, do not throw them on the ground.
• If you see a wildfire, immediately call 310-FIRE (3473) and report the location of the fire.
• Avoid using equipment that could generate sparks, friction or flames, such as power tools or lawn mowers, in areas with dry vegetation.
• Ensure grinders and welders are properly maintained and used in areas that are free from dry vegetation. Have sufficient water and tools on hand. Always keep watch of your surroundings and look around at regular intervals for smoke or flames that may have been accidently ignited.

We encourage everyone to stay informed about the current wildfire risk and to follow any guidance or orders from emergency personnel. By working together and taking proactive steps, we can help reduce the risk of wildfires in our community.

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WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

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.