Fort McMurray Area Update

Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update - May 4, 2023

Posted on Thu, May 04, 2023

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

FIRE BAN is in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area that is south of Lake Athabasca. The Area north of Lake Athabasca is under a FIRE ADVISORY.

To see the forecasted fire danger click here, updates daily at 3:00 PM

Please use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors. If you see smoke or flame in the forest, call 310-FIRE (3473). 


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MWF010 is currently being held. (May 3, 2023)


RMWB has issued an EVACUATION ALERT on MAY 2, 2023

Anyone in the Gregoire Lake Estate, Anzac and Fort McMurray First Nation #468 area should be ready to leave on short notice.

An Evacuation Alert has been issued for Gregoire Lake Estates due to the potential of the nearby wildfire spreading towards the community. If you are in Gregoire Lakes Estates, Anzac, or near Fort McMurray First Nation #468 stay alert and follow instructions from emergency responders.

At this time, an Evacuation Order has not been issued. This is an alert/warning for residents in the affected area to be ready to leave on short notice.

Anyone Gregoire Lake Estates, Anzac, and Fort McMurray First Nation #468 is advised to:   

  • Be aware and stay informed by following official and trusted channels such as RMWB.ca and Municipal Twitter or Facebook
  • Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts App
  • Follow local media sources
  • Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
  • Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit 
  • Make an emergency plan for your household
  • Close all windows
  • Keep all combustibles at least 1.5 metres away from your home and propane tanks and woodpiles at least 10 metres away
  • Move all unused patio furniture to a shed or safe storage facility
  • Take other proactive steps to prepare households and properties. View more FireSmart tips at home

Anyone in the Gregoire Lake Estate, Anzac  and Fort McMurray First Nation #468 area should be ready to leave on short notice.

An Evacuation Alert has been issued for Gregoire Lake Estates due to the potential of the nearby wildfire spreading towards the community. If you are in Gregoire Lakes Estates, Anzac, or near Fort McMurray First Nation #468 stay alert and follow instructions from emergency responders.  

At this time, an Evacuation Order has not been issued. This is an alert/warning for residents in the affected area to be ready to leave on short notice.

Anyone Gregoire Lake Estates, Anzac, and Fort McMurray First Nation #468 is advised to:   

  • Be aware and stay informed by following official and trusted channels such as RMWB.ca and Municipal Twitter or Facebook
  • Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts App
  • Follow local media sources
  • Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
  • Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit 
  • Make an emergency plan for your household
  • Close all windows
  • Keep all combustibles at least 1.5 metres away from your home and propane tanks and woodpiles at least 10 metres away
  • Move all unused patio furniture to a shed or safe storage facility
  • Take other proactive steps to prepare households and properties. View more FireSmart tips at home
For more information click here.

Fire Ban wide

FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

A Fire Ban is in effect for most of the Fort McMurray Forest Area due to extreme fire danger.

Under this ban:

  • All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
  • No new Fire Permits will be issued

Prohibited:

  • All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
  • Backyard firepits
  • BBQ charcoal briquettes
  • The use of fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

  • Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
  • Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
  • Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
  • All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards

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.

The Fire Ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Please visit albertafirebans.ca to see a map of the exact area covered under this Fire Ban.


FORT MCMURRAY WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 there have been ten wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, burning a total of 38.41 hectares (ha). Eight wildfires are extinguished.

MWF009 was discovered on May 2nd and is approximately 16.10 ha in size. We have two firefighting crews and three helicopters responding to this wildfire. This wildfire is classified as being held and is located west of Milton's Lake, near Anzac. 

MWF010 was discovered on May 3rd and is approximately 18.70 hectare in size. We have two firefighting crews and four helicopters responding to this wildfire. This wildfire is classified as being held and is located approximately 40 km north of Fort McMurray, near Birch Mountain Lodge and south of Aostra road.

To view active wildfires across Alberta, click here.

Check out the RMWB website for additional information.


PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 312 wildfires burning a total of 3137.09 ha.


Alberta Fire Bans 2022


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

Emily Smith
Wildfire Information Officer | Fort McMurray Forest Area
Phone: 780-799-9253
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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

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Apps:

Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android and Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.

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