Wildfire Update - May 29, 2020
The wildfire danger rating in the Fort McMurray Forest Area is HIGH both north of Fort Chipewyan and south of Lake Athabasca. There is a fire advisory in place inside the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, as well as in Alberta provincial parks and protected areas, until further notice. Fire permits are being issued but will need to be approved by a forest officer. Please call 780-743-7125 to request a Forest Officer to inspect the burn piles prior to issuing a permit.
Since March 1, there have been six new wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area. All fires have been extinguished.
There are currently seven wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Three of these wildfires are under control and four have been turned over to the responsible parties.For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca
FIRE ADVISORY
A fire advisory means Albertans in the Forest Protection Area can safely enjoy the use of a fire pit in their backyard, charcoal briquettes on a barbecue, or a safe campfire.
Permissible:
- safe wood campfires on public land, private land or in provincial campgrounds as long as they are inside an engineered campfire ring
- backyard fire pits
- charcoal briquette barbecues
- use of propane, natural gas or powered appliance
- catalytic or infrared-style heaters
- safe burning with a permit
- recreational off-highway vehicle use
Not permissible:
- burning (excluding campfires) without a permit
- unattended or unsafe campfires
Permits may not be issued as usual under a fire advisory. These precautions were put in place as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response plan to avoid multiple disasters at a time when resources may be limited. Two hundred additional firefighters were hired and are now trained and positioned to respond to new wildfire starts.
Restrictions can be phased back in as necessary to address wildfire risk area-by-area, allowing Albertans the freedom to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We will re-evaluate daily.
We expect this fire advisory to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in Alberta, while allowing Albertans to enjoy outdoor activities as much as possible.
Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
OHV USE
If you choose to drive an off-highway vehicle in Alberta’s forested areas please remember:
- OHV exhausts can get very hot, reaching temperatures of over 200 Celsius, causing debris caught near the exhaust to become superheated. This debris can potentially start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
- It is crucial for Albertans to stop and check OHVs and the ground for any debris that may have fallen.
- Before you ride, clean any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine.
- Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.
For more information, please contact:
Lynn Daina, Wildfire Information Officer, Fort McMurray Forest Area
Phone: 1-780-799-9253 or 1-866-394-3473
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
- Emergency Preparation
Social Media:
