Edson Area Update (233)

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.

*according to Transport Canada

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

The wildfires in the Edson Forest area are very large and are producing heavy amounts of smoke. EWF-031 is 70km away from Hinton and is not moving towards Hinton and is not a threat to the town of Hinton at this time. The three large wildfires to the south of EWF-031 in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area are over 80 km away from the community of Hinton. Smoke will impact the town of Hinton. Visit firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from and if you have smoke related health concerns, please contact 8-1-1.

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.

ACTIVE WILDFIRES

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 was last estimated to be 77,920 ha in size. It is believed that the fire will not reach the McLeod River tonight. Most of the growth on this fire today was on the northwest finger of the fire. The guard on the east flank of the fire has seen success at preventing spread on that side of the fire. Reinforced guard was built using heavy equipment and ignition on the north side of the fire. The extreme wildfire behaviour makes it dangerous, difficult and ultimately ineffective to have firefighting crews near the head of this wildfire.

Fire guard built on the north end of the fire on EWF031 (May 6, 2023 at 2:15 p.m.)

This fire still poses a significant threat to the town of Edson, and we strongly believe Hinton and the areas west of Hinton are the safest locations for residents that have been evacuated within Yellowhead County. The Wildfire Management Team has also been relocated and has been established in the town of Hinton.

Most of these wildfires are due to the recent dry lightning that was seen over the past several days. This time of year, the trees are extremely dry as they have yet to absorb the moisture that they need. These are not normal conditions which is why we are witnessing an abnormal amount of fires igniting and spreading. The current hot and dry conditions are also contributing as we have been seeing crossover conditions over several consecutive days. This means that the humidity is lower than the temperature, making vegetation severely flammable which results in extreme fire behaviour.

Smoke on EWF031 (May 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.)

WCU001_fireline_may5 (2)

(WCU001 - crews looking for hotspots May 6, 2023)

WCU001 was detected on April 29 and is classified as out of control and has seen increased activity today as the winds picked up this afternoon. The wildfire has been reassessed and is now 8586 ha in size. The wildfire did cross west over the Pembina River yesterday and spread north where it did cross 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. AB Wildfire is assisting Parkland County with this wildfire.

59 firefighters worked alongside 14 pieces of heavy equipment to help with suppression efforts. Additionally, five helicopters performed bucketing operations on the wildfire with airtanker support this afternoon for the community of Wildwood. There was increased fire behaviour early this morning and gusting winds made it challenging for crews to build a perimeter around the fire. Dozer guard is being made for the north perimeter around Lobstick.

For updates from Parkland County and evacuation information, 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.

May 6, 2:00pm. The Evacuation Area remains in effect for everyone west of Range Road 65, north of Township Road 530 to Township Road 534, including all residents of Entwistle. Please continue to stay safe and remain evacuated.

Residents can register by visiting Wabamun Jubilee Hall (5132 53 Ave, Wabamun) or by calling 780-203-3258. Coal Diamond Sports Park in Wabamun is also open for evacuees staying in trailers, RVs, etc.

For updates from Yellowhead County and evacuation information, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty Residents in the affected areas can contact the Yellowhead County Emergency Information Line at 1-833-334-4630.

WCU002 has now been named the Deep Creek Wildfire and 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 was re-assessed and is now estimated to be 2,400 ha in size. The fire is burning in a mixture of grass, shrub, trees and marsh. Both Yellowhead County and Alberta Wildfire are actioning this wildfire.

No growth has been reported today. Resources have been allocated to this wildfire. Most fire activity was primarily in the interior of the wildfire due to another day of windy and hot conditions. The wildfire has stayed south of Township Road 550 and east of Range Road 92 and west of Range Road 75. Lots of smoke in the area will be present due to the high winds in the area. Airtankers will be available if requested.

More hot and dry conditions are expected to continue. Temperatures will remain in the 20’s throughout the evening and into tomorrow. Tomorrow, winds will be out of the southeast 30 km/h with gusts of 40 km/h. There is a chance of thunderstorm to come through the area in the afternoon. Please report any new wildfire starts to 310-FIRE.

For updates from Yellowhead County and evacuation information, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty Residents in the affected areas can contact the Yellowhead County Emergency Information Line at 1-833-334-4630.

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

NASA Hotspots is a tool used to view hotspots on a map across Alberta.

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 this wildfire (WCU002 or WCU001) please call the Wildfire Information Officer at 780-653-0153 and press 2 for information.

For all other wildfires in the Edson Forest Area please call the Area Information Coordinator at 780-237-4483.

For all other wildfires, please report by calling 310-FIRE.

Smoke and visible flame on EWF-035 (May 5, 2023 at 6:00pm)

EWF035 was detected on May 5 and is located 3 km southeast of Shinning Bank. This wildfire is classified as out of control and estimated to be 4,376 ha in size. This wildfire has crossed highway 32 and is being continually assessed by Alberta Wildfire.

EWF037, EWF040 and EWF041. There are multiple clusters of wildfires that we believe were caused by lightning and at this time located approximately south of the Little Smoky River, north of the Wildhay River and east of Hwy 40 north, and also in the areas near the Willow Haul road and the Jack Wright road north of Hinton. All of these wildfires are classified as out of control and remain under investigation.

EWF039 is currently burning out of control, estimated to be 200 ha in size and located near Carrot Creek. Five firefighters are on scene and deploying structure protection on critical infrastructure. Airtankers were actioning this wildfire yesterday evening.

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

For more information, visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.

PUBLIC WILDFIRE MAPS

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

Deep Creek Fire (WCU002 and WCU001) May 6th, 2023 public map - Click here.

EWF031 Wildfire May 6, 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.

Click on the map for the PDF version.

WCU002_hubspot_0800update_may5

Crews will be working on wildfire Deep Creek Fire (WCU002), searching for and extinguishing hotspots. (May 5, 2023)

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY INFORMATION

EVACUATION ORDER

The following Alberta Emergency Alert has been issued by Yellowhead County:

Evacuee Reception Centres:

Hinton: Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre

805 Switzer Drive, Hinton

Evacuee Update For Hinton & Jasper Evacuation Centres

There was an update for evacuees at the Dr Duncan Murray Recreation Centre at 805 Switzer Drive in Hinton at 2 p.m. today. An update was also given at the Jasper Activity Centre at 305 Bonhomme Street in Jasper at 4 p.m. today. All important updates will be shared online for those who are not able to attend.

As of May 6 at 12:00 PM, the Town of Edson has not sustained any damage. Edson Fire and Mutual Aid crews continue to work on structural protection.

The RCMP continue to provide property security and patrols in both Edson and Yellowhead County.

Yellowhead County is extending their State of Local Emergency and Edson is enacting a State of Local Emergency.

Call 1-833-334-4630 for assistance.

Evacuation Order for IMMEDIATE EVACUATION for the east part of Yellowhead County. Fire conditions have increased. If you have not left, you MUST LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. Head west on Highway 16. Fire has jumped the River from Parkland in Yellowhead County and is moving fast in a westerly direction.

County has also issued an evacuation order for north and west areas of Wildwood from Township Road 544 north to Township Road 560, west to Range Road 110 and east to Highway 22.

Brazeau Dam area, west of the Brazeau River. The evacuation area is bounded by Elk River Road on the north, the Brazeau Reservoir on the east, and Range Road 145 on the west.

Residents in this area must evacuate immediately.

Please visit the Yellowhead County Facebook page or www.yhcounty.ca for updates. Evacuees can call 1-833-334-4630 for more information. Gather important documents, medication, and enough food and water to be away from home for at least 3 days. Take pets with you.

Special Access Permits for Calving, Foaling, & Lambing in Evacuated Zone North of Wildwood. Any agricultural operations and farms can request special access conditions for calving, foaling, and lambing provided it is considered safe for your area. Please contact 1-833-334-4630 for details. Residents that need to check livestock or retrieve pets can also request access between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please contact 1-833-334-4630 for details.

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM YHC

The wildfire situation continues to be a fluid and dynamic situation with multiple fires in Yellowhead County. We are continuing to work with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry for updates on the current wildfire situation.

The evacuated areas remain on evacuation order and Yellowhead County has extended our State of Local Emergency to include the entirety of Yellowhead County due to the increase of wildfires in numerous locations and the expansion of the evacuation order zone in Yellowhead County.

Yellowhead County is working with AEMA (Alberta Emergency Management Association) for future evacuations should the situation arise. Yellowhead County is working on planning a route should it be necessary for further evacuations.

Please visit www.yhcounty.ca for evacuation notices and evacuation centers and contact information for services you may need to access. For updates from Yellowhead County, please visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty

For updates from Parkland County and evacuation information, 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 road closure information, please visit: https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts

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.

Fire Ban banner

FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area due to extreme fire danger.

Under this fire ban:

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

Prohibited:

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

Allowed:

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.

The fire ban and OHV restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

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.

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.

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.
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