The fire danger in the Fort McMurray Forest Area is HIGH.
A FIRE ADVISORY is in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.
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).
A FIRE ADVISORY is in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area starting at 1:00 PM today, April 28, 2023.
Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, no new permits will be issued. All existing permits remain valid but renewals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Prohibited:
- Burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited.
Allowed:
- Safe wood campfires *
- Backyard fire pits
- Portable propane fire pits
- Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
- Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
*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 meter 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. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and
- Municipalities, Parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.
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 a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
Please visit albertafirebans.ca to see a map of the exact area covered under this Fire Advisory.
The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.
FORT MCMURRAY WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023 there have been six wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, burning a total of 3.59 hectares (ha). All are extinguished except for one which is classified as under control.
To view active wildfires across Alberta, click here.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 189 wildfires burning a total of 597.82 ha.
HAZARD REDUCTION BURNS
Alberta Wildfire has completed hazard reduction burns on Fort McMurray 468 First Nation lands near Gregoire Lake.
No more hazard reduction burns are planned for the foreseeable future due to current weather forecasts.
Hazard reduction burns are completed during ideal conditions and under the careful eye of experienced wildfire managers. Wildfire plays an important role on the landscape and is necessary for forest health and regeneration.
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CAMPFIRE SAFETY
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.
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.
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EXPLODING TARGETS AND FIREWORKS
The Forest and Prairie Protection Act and associated regulations applies to the shooting, ignition or detonation of exploding targets and fireworks on public lands and private lands located within the FPA.
A Forest Officer from the local forest area office may grant written permission to shoot, ignite or detonate exploding targets or fireworks in the FPA. Written permission of exploding targets and fireworks is based on current wildfire danger and managed on a case-by-case basis.
A fire advisory, restriction, ban or forest closure may prohibit or limit use of exploding targets and fireworks during high wildfire hazard situations within the FPA. Check Alberta Fire Bans or the mobile phone app for the latest information.
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
RELATED INFORMATION
Websites:
Alberta Wildfire, Alberta Fire Bans, FireSmart in Alberta, Alberta Emergency Alerts, Air Quality Health Index
Wildfire Smoke and Your Health, 511 Road Reports, and Emergency Preparation.
Social Media:
Join the conversation on
Apps:
Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android and Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.