A FIRE RESTRICTION remains in effect for the Edson Forest Area. Safe campfires in designated campgrounds and private land is allowed. Wood campfires and other activities are restricted on crown land.
Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.
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.
The Edson Forest Area fire danger is forecasted to be high to very high tomorrow. It is anticipated to keep climbing throughout the week due to increased temperatures and lack of precipitation (July 31, 2024).
Fire ban levels are based on multiple factors that include weather forecasts, fire danger, the risk of human-caused wildfires and available firefighting resources. The forest area is expecting increased temperatures in the coming days and our additional firefighters are supporting our northern communities and partner agencies.
Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if a fire ban or restriction is in place in your area and learn what is prohibited and allowed under this ban.
EDSON FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is MODERATE. This means that a creeping or gentle surface fire is likely.
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 93 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 279 ha. All wildfires are investigated in Alberta. Of these 93 wildfires, 23 were caused by lightning and 70 were human-caused. The human-caused wildfires are often due to unsafe burning, powerlines impacted by trees and equipment working on the landscape that produced spark or friction. Anyone can cause a wildfire, so keep watch of your surroundings and do your part to prevent wildfires.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE EDSON FOREST AREA
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. The wildfire is being monitored by firefighters and will be actioned if required.
EWF080 is now BEING HELD. 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.
No communities are threatened by these wildfires at this time.
Learn more about wildfire classifications. View active wildfires, their locations and stats on the interactive map on our Wildfire Status page.
NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an approximate location of hotspots in an area, but cannot always be used to determine specifically where a wildfire is burning. The heat from smoke columns, reflections from water and other heat signatures will appear on the map. It's important to note that the data is based on a mathematical estimate (interpolation) and can often make a wildfire appear larger than it actually is.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
As of 10:00 a.m. on July 31, 2024.
The fire danger is extreme through the agricultural zone and along the eastern slopes. Danger is high to very high throughout the boreal forest.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 999 wildfires burning a total of 560,337 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 931 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,179,806 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 796 wildfires had burnt an average of 628,611 ha.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK
An evacuation order has been issued for Jasper National Park and the Town of Jasper. There is no threat to communities in Yellowhead County, the Town of Hinton or the Town of Edson.
ANP002 is a mutual aid wildfire that is currently burning within Jasper National Park. The wildfire is outside of the Forest Protection Area. You can view the latest wildfire update on the Jasper National Park - Wildfire Status Updates.
Update as of July 31. The wildfire that is currently located north and south of Jasper, along Highway 16 and highway 93, has NOT entered into, or near Snaring River Campground. The campground is 25 km from the Alberta-Jasper boundary, 33 km from Brule, 48 km from highway 40 (north and south) and 50 km from Hinton. No communities in the Edson Forest Area (Yellowhead County) are threatened by these wildfires.
We can assure members of our communities that Alberta Wildfire is working closely with Parks Canada. Yellowhead County and Alberta Wildfire will continue to work together to inform residents and industry, as we receive updates from Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper. This will include information on the proximity of the wildfires.
Additional information will be available on the Jasper National Park Facebook page and Municipality of Jasper page. You can view smoke forecasts on the FireSmoke.ca website.
Check Alberta Emergency Alerts for up-to-date information on evacuation alerts and orders and Alberta 511 for road conditions and closures.
JOIN ALBERTA WILDFIRE
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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.
Were you aware that 90% of home ignitions in Canada are caused by airborne embers, not the advancing flame front? That’s why it is so important to take steps that reduce the potential for embers to collect on or near your home.
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
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.
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:
