We ask hunters to ensure they fully extinguish their cooking and warming fires once done by soaking the ashes, stirring them and soaking them again until they're cool to the touch.
Areas of exposed dry grass and fine fuels are a concern and any spark, friction or hot exhaust can easily start a wildfire even when the temperatures are cooler.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
The forecasted fire danger in the area is very high to extreme. Use additional caution when working and recreating, especially near dry grass.
A fire advisory is in effect for the Edson Forest Area due to current and forecasted weather conditions and increasing fire danger.
Fine fuels and woody debris are very dry and can ignite easily. Use extreme caution when harvesting, working or recreating outdoors.
Existing permits are still valid and any new permits will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The public and residents in the Edson Forest Area can continue to use a fire pit, charcoal briquettes on a barbecue, or a safe campfire and recreational off-highway vehicles.
*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:
- be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;
- have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
- have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire.
The fire advisory will remain in place until conditions improve.
EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
The wildfire danger is now overall VERY HIGH in the Edson Forest Area, except in the eastern portion where the danger is now EXTREME. To view the fire danger forecast map, click here.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022, there have been 96 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 53 ha.
EWF096 was detected on Oct 9 and remains classified as being held, which means that based on the current conditions, the fire is not expected to grow past its expected boundary. The fire is located 45 km east-southeast of Edson on the edge of a body of water and estimated to be 5.9 ha in size. There are currently nine firefighters assigned to this wildfire. Fortunately water is easily accessible and firefighters are using pumps and hose to extinguish hotspots. The fire is currently under investigation.
EWF075 was detected on Aug 21 and is classified as under control, which means that the fire is fully contained and will be extinguished. The fire is located approximately 24 km southwest of Grande Cache in Willmore Wilderness Park and firefighters can only access it by helicopter. It's estimated to be 4.0 ha in size. The fire was determined to be caused by lightning.
These wildfires do not threaten any community at this time. To learn more about the classification of wildfires, please click here.
To view the wildfires on a map, check out the new wildfire dashboard. It provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the province, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.
EWF096 is currently being held and remains under investigation (photo from the ground on Oct 11, 2022).
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 1,171 wildfires burning a total of 152,665 ha.
COOKING & WARMING FIRES
Cooking and warming fires are common this time of year and firefighters often find unattended or abandoned fires each year. If you're having a warming fire during your hunt, please be familiar with building it and proper extinguishment.
Use an existing fire receptacle if possible, otherwise, choose a location that's on level ground, sheltered from the wind and is on bare mineral soil. If you build your fire on peat or top soil, you risk creating a deep burning fire that could be challenging to extinguish. Keep it away from dry grass, leaves or branches and keep water close by.
Before you leave, ensure you fully extinguished the fire, otherwise it could smoulder under ground for days or even weeks and re-surface when the conditions are right for a wildfire. Your fire isn't fully extinguished until the burnt wood and ashes are cool to the touch.
To learn more about campfire safety, visit our website by clicking here.
FIRE PERMITS
Wildfire season in Alberta is from March 1 until October 31. During wildfire season, you are required to have a fire permit if you plan on burning in the Forest Protection Area, with the exception of a campfire. To request your free fire permit, contact the local forest area: (780) 723-8527 or you can request your permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.
We ask that you plan ahead, there may be delays for a forest officer to visit your site. For more information regarding fire permits, you can view our video by clicking here.
CHETAMON WILDFIRE - JASPER NATIONAL PARK
For information on this wildfire, view updates from Jasper National Park on social media by clicking here or subscribe to their information bulletin by clicking here.
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.
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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.
- Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
