Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update

The fire danger in the Fort McMurray Forest Area is MODERATE.

Please use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors. Always ensure you fully extinguish your campfire and if you see smoke or flame in the forest, call 310-FIRE (3473).

Alberta Wildfire is looking for your input!

We want to know what information is important to you and how we can best deliver it. Please take the time to fill out this short survey regarding how you receive wildfire information to help ensure we are delivering the information that matters to Albertans.

Link: https://your.alberta.ca/wildfire-information-survey/survey_tools/alberta-wildfire-information

FORT MCMURRAY WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 there has been one wildfire in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, burning a total of 0.01 hectares (ha). It is now extinguished.

Fire permits are required for all burning, with the exception of campfires, from March 1 – October 31. To get a free fire permit within the Forest Protection Area go to firepermits.alberta.ca or the Fort McMurray Forest Area can be reached by calling 780-743-7125.

To view active wildfires across Alberta, click here.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 36 wildfires burning a total of 43.04 ha.

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CAMPFIRE SAFETY

With temperatures warming up this weekend, please be sure to do your part to help prevent wildfires.

When having a campfire:

Let the fire burn down before you plan on putting it out. Spread the embers within the fire pit, then add water or loose dirt, and stir.
Expose any material still burning. Add more water and stir again until you can no longer see smoke or steam. Do not bury your fire as the embers may continue to smoulder and can re-emerge as a wildfire.
Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch.
If your fire is out, you should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes

Always be sure to Soak it. Stir it. Soak it again.

2022 OHV Can cause wildfires Dirt Bike

OHV SAFETY

If you plan on riding OHVs in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, you can reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire by following these simple steps:

Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
Wash your OHV and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.
Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.

For more information, see Off-highway vehicles: Wildfire prevention tips.

CHECK WINTER BURNS

Now that spring is here, it's important to check any winter burns as they can re-emerge as a wildfire. When the snow starts to melt, it can expose dead and dry grass, twigs and leaves that can be fuel for a fast-moving wildfire.

We ask Albertans to ensure all fall and winter burns are completely extinguished. All burning in the Forest Protection Area needs a fire permit except campfires after March 1.

When checking winter burns:

Walk the area and check for heat. Fire can smoulder underground only to reappear under drier conditions as a wildfire.
Insert a metal probe into the burned area and then feel it for heat to ensure nothing is burning in the ground.
Soak it, stir it and soak it again and check that it's cool to the touch.

Fire Permit Online

FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED

Now that it's wildfire season, fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Fire permits help us track what is burning on the landscape.

If you are burning without a permit or not following permit conditions, your fire could be considered a wildfire and you could be fined and may be responsible for the costs of suppressing the fire. By getting a fire permit, you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.

Fire permits are free and now available online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca to request yours. You’ll need a MyAlberta Digital ID to request a permit, so be sure to sign-up online at account.alberta.ca/signup first. Fire permits are also still available, by request, from your local forest area office. The Fort McMurray Forest Area can be reached by calling 780-743-7125.

Nearly all spring wildfires are started by humans. Last year, more than 60 per cent of all wildfires in the province were human-caused. We all need to do our part in reducing the number of these entirely preventable wildfires. Whether it’s an abandoned campfire, OHV exhaust, or agricultural burning, everyone can help reduce the risk.

WILDFIRE DASHBOARD

The wildfire dashboard 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 Forest Protection Area of Alberta, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

The dashboard builds on the former wildfire status map by displaying the most frequently accessed information in one convenient location.

CONTACT

Emily Smith

Wildfire Information Officer | Fort McMurray Forest Area

Phone: 780-799-9253

Email: emily.smith@gov.ab.ca