Fort McMurray Area Update

Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update - June 07, 2022

Posted on Tue, Jun 07, 2022

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The fire danger in the Fort McMurray Forest Area is VERY HIGH

Above seasonal temperatures and low humidity is forecast for the north and east boreal zones. A continued drying trend is leading to easy burning conditions. Exercise caution when working or recreating in the forest. 

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


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A fire advisory is in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

Under this advisory:
Due to current and forecasted weather conditions no new fire permits will be issued. 

Prohibited:
• Any 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:
a) be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;
b) have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
c) 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
d) 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.

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.


 

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OHV SAFETY

Use caution when riding your off-highway vehicle in forested areas.

  • Exhaust systems heat up to temperatures in excess of 204 degrees Celsius; hot enough to fry an egg and start a wildfire.
  • At these temperatures, built up materials and debris on your machine (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite.
  • The smouldering debris can drop to the ground as you’re riding, starting a wildfire.

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. During your ride, stop regularly to clean your hotspots. Dry grass and vegetation that accumulate near the exhaust, ignite and cause a wildfire when it falls to the ground. Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.


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CAMPFIRE SAFETY

We urge everyone to use caution when working and recreating outdoors. Never leave your campfire unattended.

Soak it, stir it, soak it again.

  • 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.

For more tips on how to safely build a campfire, visit wildfire.alberta.ca/prevention/campfire-safety. 


Fire Permit Online

NEW FIRE PERMIT PORTAL LAUNCHED

You can now request your fire permit online through a new online portal. During wildfire season, fire permits are required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, except for campfires.

Fire permits are free and help us track what is burning on the landscape. If you're burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. By getting a permit before burning, you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.

To request a fire permit online, visit the new portal. You will need a MyAlberta Digital ID to access the portal. Please note that you can still request your permit from the Fort McMurray forest office by calling 780-743-7125.


Wildfire Dashboard

NEW WILDFIRE DASHBOARD

The new 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.


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FIRESMART

This is a great time to apply FireSmart principles to your property. Protecting your home from wildfire starts with simple actions. Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.


 

For more information, please contact: 

Provincial Information Officer

780-420-1968

wildfireinfo@gov.ab.ca

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