Alberta's Wildfire season has started early this year, February 20.
Due to dry conditions and a lack of precipitation from the fall and winter months a fire advisory is now in effect.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).
FIRE ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT
A fire advisory is in effect for the Lac La Biche Forest Area section of the Forest Protection Area due to dry conditions and a lack of precipitation from the fall and winter months.
Under this advisory:
· New fire permits will not be issued for non-essential heavy fuel burning such as machine-piled brush piles and windrows.
· Permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
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.
Return to winter burn sites to ensure they are completely extinguished. These fires can smoulder underground and flare up into a wildfire when the conditions are right.
WILDFIRE SEASON STARTS EARLY
Alberta's wildfire season has started early this year, February 20. This means that any current burns will need to be fully extinguished from the winter 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.
Keep in mind that there is a fire advisory now in effect. Please see albertafirebans.ca for more information regarding the status of fire permits.
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.
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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 18 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!
FIRESMART
Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow. Visit the new FireSmart Alberta site to learn how you can reduce the risk and negative impact of wildfire to your home, neighbourhood and community.
To learn more on how you can protect your farm and acreage from wildfire, download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.
For more FireSmart tips to get you started on home projects you can visit the FireSmart Begins at Home Guide.
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
Related Information
Websites:
Social Media:
Apps:
Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.
