REVISIT WINTER BURN SITES
With wildfire season just around the corner (March 1st), firefighters are urging everyone who has conducted winter burning to go back and ensure the fires are out. With the dry conditions last fall and lack of moisture in the ground, there is potential for fires lit this winter to continue to burn under the snow and re-emerge as wildfires in the spring.
To prevent spring holdover wildfires revisit your brush pile or windrow burning projects to ensure the fires are extinguished.
- Spread out the remaining material.
- Soak the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced.
- Check your burn site multiple times in the coming weeks to ensure it has not reignited.
Heavy equipment working on hotspots on the southwest perimeter of the Basset fire (HWF058). February 12, 2024.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | FEBRUARY 12, 2024
There are 15 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, four are classified as being held (BH) and 11 are under control (UC). To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
As there are many fires still on the landscape firefighters and staff have been observing fire behaviour and monitoring hotspots during the winter months. Some fires within the HLFA are being working on by crews and equipment, see below for more info.
Did you know, snow and cold lessen fire behaviour but do not put out fires, however smoke and steam help firefighters locate hotspot areas. Snow can act as an insulator and keep fire hot in the ground. Crews are working on hotspot areas by using equipment to dig up and expose the deep burning peat.
PASKWA FIRE | HWF030
Alberta Wildfire crews and heavy equipment have made good progress on hotspots in the east field, adjacent to the community. Crews have completed work in this area however they continue to monitor the area for any other hotspots that may arise. In addition, there are mulchers working in the south field. Please use caution in this area while crews are working.
BASSET FIRE | HWF058
Crews and heavy equipment are working on hotspots on the southwest perimeter of this fire. Work is ongoing and crews are making good progress.
HBZ001
Crews and heavy equipment are working on hotspots on the southeastern perimeter of this fire. Work is ongoing and crews are making good progress.
WINTER BURNING - SAFE BURNING PRACTICES ARE ALWAYS IN SEASON
From November 1st to February 28th fire permits are not required for burning in the Forest Protection Area. Even though a fire permit is not required, you are still responsible for any fires you ignite outside of the wildfire season.
Alberta Wildfire is urging everyone to use caution when burning this winter as holdover fires are likely to occur. With the lack of rain in the late summer and fall, the conditions in the ground are extremely dry. This means a fire will dig in and burn deep in the ground, under the snow all winter long. Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires.
Take the time to properly prepare your burn site. Know the requirements needed to be successful during your burn and how to properly extinguish your site.
Before You Burn
- Winter burns should be conducted in areas with sufficient snow cover of more than 15 centimetres and burns must be monitored the entire time.
- Ensure smoke warning signs are in place before burning within half a mile (800 m) from a roadway. For more information on smoke management and to acquire signs, contact your local municipality. If you are outside of a municipality, contact Alberta Transportation.
While burning:
- Have someone monitoring the burn the entire time – if it escapes, immediately report it to 310-FIRE.
- Only burn what you can control with the equipment and people you have available, and adjust your burning according to weather conditions.
- Build it right. Brush piles or debris windrows should be free of soil, built to a maximum height of 3 metres, and with a fireguard or cleared land around it to stop the spread of fire.
After you burn:
- Spread remaining material within the pile and soak with water as required.
- Check the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced by the pile – it should be cool to the touch.
- Check your burn site multiple times in the following weeks to ensure it has not reignited.
Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device. Available for Apple and Android.
Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.
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