Edson Area Update (293)

Help keep Alberta's forest safe by ensuring you fully extinguish your campfire.

Do not burn in windy conditions and always adhere to the conditions of your permit. Dry grass and fine debris can catch easily and burn very quickly. Any spark, friction or hot exhaust can easily start a wildfire.

If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

Smoke over the forest area is being produced by a wildfire in Jasper National Park. To see forecasted smoke, visit firesmoke.ca.

EDSON FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger is now overall VERY HIGH in the Edson Forest Area. To view the fire danger forecast map, click here.

fire advisory wide

A fire advisory is in effect for the Edson Forest Area due to current and forecasted weather conditions. Fine fuels and woody debris are very dry and can ignite easily. Use extreme caution when working or recreating outdoors. Existing permits are still valid and 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:

a) be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;

b) have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;

c) have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire.

The fire advisory will remain in place until conditions improve.

LONG WEEKEND SAFETY MESSAGE

While it may feel like summer is coming to an end, wildfire season doesn’t officially end until October 31. Wildfires can start anytime of year if the conditions are right. Please use caution in the forested areas if you are out this long weekend. We have been experiencing hot, dry conditions for a while in the area, which can escalate the wildfire danger in a matter of days. This means that wildfires can start easily and spread quickly.

Here are a few tips that will help ensure a safe long weekend:

If you are enjoying a campfire, remember to fully extinguish it by soaking the ashes, stirring them and soaking them again until they are cool to the touch.
If you plan on using an OHV in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, remember to stop often and check hot spots. Debris heated by the exhaust system can inadvertently start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
Remember to visit albertafirebans.ca before heading out to find the latest information about fire bans across the province.
If you're working in the forest protection area of Alberta, ensure you carry sufficient firefighting equipment as per the Forest Prairie and Protection Act.

Alberta Wildfire typically sees an increase in human-caused wildfires during long weekends so do your part and prevent wildfires.

EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2022, there have been 85 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 46 ha.

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.

This wildfire does not threaten any community at this time and was determined to be caused by lightning. 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.

WILDFIRE IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Parks Canada continues to action the Chetamon wildfire, located approximately 16 km north of Jasper townsite at high elevation.

Alberta Wildfire airtankers and firefighters are available to respond if needed. Residents may notice smoke in the area. To see wildfire smoke forecasts, visit firesmoke.ca. If you have smoke related health concerns, contact Alberta Health Services by calling 811.

For more information on this wildfire, visit them on social media by clicking here or subscribe to their information bulletin by clicking here. The new update also includes a detailed map of the wildfire and the surrounding area.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 1,041 wildfires burning a total of 141,309 ha.

Last year on this date, there had been 1,167 wildfires that burnt a total of 53,941 ha. In the past 5 years on this date, an average of 1,008 wildfires burnt an average of 189,241 ha.

FIRESMART VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN ROBB & CADOMIN

Be advised that AB Wildfire crews will be working in the Robb and Cadomin area starting August 17 until the end of August. The crews will be pruning, thinning and doing general clean up and maintenance of existing FireSmart vegetation blocks. Firefighters will possibly be doing some pile burning so residents may see or smell smoke in the area.

FIRESMART EDUCATION PROGRAMS

People living in forested areas need to be aware of the threat of wildfire, and actions they can take to make their homes and neighbourhoods FireSmart.

FireSmart Canada has developed educational programs to help homeowners get started. To learn more about these tools and programs, visit their website: firesmartcanada.ca/programs/.

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.

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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