Lac La Biche Forest Area - February 21, 2023

As of March 1, you will need a permit for any burning with the exception of a campfire, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

If your burning projects might extend into wildfire season, apply online or contact the Lac La Biche Forest Area (780-623-5388) now for your free burn permit.

WILDFIRE SITUATION

Since January 1, 2023, there has been one wildfire in the Lac La Biche Forest Area burning approximately 0.01 ha. Wildfires can happen during the winter. You should be aware of your surroundings and ensure you always have sufficient firefighting equipment in case your fire escapes.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there has been nine new wildfires burning a total of 2.9 ha.

To view active wildfires in the Lac La Biche area on a map, visit the Wildfire Dashboard.

2023_start_of_wildfire_season_hubspot_image

WINTER BURNING

Wildfire season starts March 1, all winter burning projects should be extinguished by then with the exception of campfires. If you suspect that your burning will extend into wildfire season we ask that you get your free burn permit. You can do this by calling into the Lac La Biche office at (780) 623-5388 a few days prior to February 28 or by going online www.alberta.ca.

Following safe burning practices is always in season and it can help prevent holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although snow helps reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that you regularly check your winter burning sites to ensure that the fire is out.

You can do this by:

- walking your site

-rolling over any debris and checking for hotspots

-looking for any visible lingering smoke patches or spots of melting snow

To assist the Lac La Biche Forest Area, please let us know if you plan any large-scale burning by contacting the office (780) 623-5388.

SMOKE INVERSIONS

If an inversion is expected or in place, smoke from your burn can be trapped close to the ground overnight. This reduces visibility and causes dangerous driving conditions and can affect those with smoke-related health concerns.

The inversion happens when cold air is trapped near the ground by warmer air. The cool air near the surface cannot escape upwards and this creates a layer in which smoke from winter burning is trapped along the ground surface as it cannot rise.

Check the weather forecast and plan your burns when inversions aren't likely to occur.

winter firesmart

FIRESMART

There are multiple projects you can do in the winter to prepare yourself for the upcoming wildfire season. If you're heating your home with a wood stove we ask that you stack outdoor firewood ten meters or more from your home. For more FireSmart tips visit firesmartcanada.ca.

NEW WEBSITE

The newly designed wildfire website is available www.alberta.ca.

You will still be able to access popular pages such as the wildfire status page, but with some new features including a live calling link for the 310-FIRE reporting service when accessing the website from your mobile device.

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

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.

For more information please contact:

Colby Lachance

Information Coordinator

780-623-5254

colby.lachance@gov.ab.ca

Related Information

Websites: