Lac La Biche Forest Area - February 20, 2024

Alberta's Wildfire season is starting early this year, February 20.

Fire permits are now required in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Please check your winter burn sites to ensure your winter project is properly extinguished or that you get your free fire permit to continue burning.

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

WILDFIRE SEASON STARTS EARLY

Alberta's wildfire season is starting early this year, February 20. This means that any current burns will need to be fully extinguished by today unless you have a fire permit. Fire permits will be required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area, with the exception of a campfire.

If you require a fire permit for any new or existing burning, please visit our online portal to get your free fire permit or you can call your local forestry office in Lac La Biche at 780-623-5388 to get started. Please plan ahead and have the site ready as there may be delays for a forestry staff member to visit your site.

The early start to the fire season is due to the drought conditions occurring in many areas of the province, which could lead to elevated fire danger if we do not receive significant rain in the spring.

Stay informed of any fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Firebans.

CHECK YOUR WINTER BURNS

Wildfire season is here early and we ask that everyone revisit their burn site to ensure their winter burning project is properly extinguished and that residents and industry get a permit to continue their burning project if needed.

When revisiting your winter burn site you should spread the remaining ashes and debris. Check the ground for any hotspots with your bare hands and feel deep below the surface for any lingering ground fire. Douse the area to fully extinguish the burn and stir up ashes with heavy equipment or hand tools. A fire is not fully out until the area is cold to the touch.

Due to dry conditions in the fall and a lack of precipitation this winter holdover fires are likely. These holdover fires are caused by a lack of moisture in the ground and can burn deep into the ground and re-emerge in the spring when conditions are right.

SMOKE AND INVERSIONS

An 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 cannot mix out and rise.

This can be dangerous when smoke from winter burning drifts onto nearby highways. Try to avoid burning when an inversion is in place. Put out smoke warning signs on roadways near your burn and always check the forecasts.

LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is LOW.

There is currently one active wildfire in the forest area. Since January 1 2024, there has been a total four wildfires burning a total of 0.19 ha burnt in the Lac La Biche Forest Area.

All active wildfires are classified as under control and pose no threat to any communities or infrastructure.

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

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 17 wildfires burning a total of 15 ha.

NOW HIRING

Are you interested in joining the Alberta Wildfire team for the upcoming season? We are now hiring for support positions and additional wildfire crew positions. Check out our website to learn more!

https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-wildfire-recruitment

FIRESMART

Is your property ready for wildfire season? There are a few things to get you started as we head into spring.

prune trees from the bottom up (approx. two meters from the ground) and trim branches that are touching structures
clean-out your gutters on your home and garage
cut your grass often and keep it under ten centimeters
ensure any vegetation is cut or removed under your deck as embers can fall in between wooden boards and dry grass can ignite

For more FireSmart tips to get you started you can visit the FireSmart Begins at Home Guide.

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WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Subscribe to your local Forest Area update or other Forest Area updates and they'll come directly to your email. You can visit our updates, enter your email address and click Instant then Subscribe.

You can also download the AB Wildfire Status App, click the "i" at the bottom left for the most recent update. To be notified when new updates are live you can click the bell for notifications and scroll to the Lac La Biche Forest Area Update.

Visit the Alberta Wildfire website at wildfire.alberta.ca for more information on the current wildfire situation.

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

Area Information Coordinator

780-404-9186

colby.lachance@gov.ab.ca