Fort McMurray Area Update

Hot, dry conditions continue in most areas of the province resulting in numerous wildfires. A provincial state of emergency has been declared. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information. https://www.alberta.ca/emergency.aspx

Hot, dry conditions will persist through weekend leading to critically dry fuels. Upper ridge building over Alberta this weekend will bring temperatures as high as 32C and RH values as
low as 15 per cent.

Wildland firefighters urge everyone to be extremely cautious when out in the Forest Protection Area. Check your winter burns, and comply with Fire Bans and OHV restrictions. At this time, fine fuels are critically dry and very receptive to fire. 

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

Fine fire fuels such as dead grass require only a few hours of warm temperatures to dry out and become flammable.

A fire ban and OHV restriction remain in effect and firefighters urge everyone to continue using caution and to report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

A FIRE BAN is in effect for the entire Fort McMurray Forest Area, this includes the Fort McMurray service area. All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds

Dry grass can catch easily and burn quickly. Any spark, hot exhaust or friction can cause a wildfire. 

While we always appreciate people calling in to report wildfires, the large volume of calls we are currently receiving is diverting our resources away from other essential tasks. You can always visit firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from, and as always, please still call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported, but assume that larger columns of smoke have already been detected. Thank you!

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

If you see smoke or flame in the forest, call 310-FIRE (3473). 

Check your winter burns

Wildland firefighters are urging that important to check your winter burns to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. With dry conditions and gusting winds, it's possible for a winter burn to  re-emerging as an active wildfire. Even though it may not be showing any visible signs of activity, deep underground, there might still be an active fire burning.

MWF010 or MWF013 are not threat to the surrounding communities at this time. Continue to stay informed by checking out the RMWB website or subscribing to Alberta Wildfire updates by entering your email.

FIRE BAN AND OHV RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area across Alberta due to extreme fire danger.

Under this fire 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
• The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails

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
• Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.
• Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.
• Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands.

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire ban and OHV restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

FORT MCMURRAY WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 there have been 14 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, burning a total of 39.87 hectares (ha). Twelve wildfires are extinguished.

MWF013 was discovered on May 5 and is approximately 0.53 ha in size. This wildfire is classified as Under Control (UC)

MWF010 was discovered on May 3rd and is approximately 18.70 hectares in size. We have one firefighting crew responding to this wildfire. This wildfire is classified as under control 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

SMOKE

Since yesterday, some smoke has been visible from Fort McMurray and Anzac. This smoke is mainly from a wildfire in Saskatchewan. If you health related concerns due to the smoke, please call 811 for more information.

Below is an image from firesmoke.ca and the red dot shows where Fort McMurray is located.

if you'd like to see where smoke is coming from, check out firesmoke.ca.

(FireSmoke.ca, May 5, 2023)

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.