We ask that everyone who conducted any burning projects this winter return and ensure the piles are fully extinguished. Feel the ashes with your bare hand for any heat and use hand tools and water to ensure that there is no fire burning underneath top soil.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).
FIRE ADVISORY STILL 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.
LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is HIGH. High fire danger will indicate that forest fuels are dry and fire risk is serious. Moderate to vigorous surface fire is expected, which may spread to treetops. Conditions may be challenging for fire suppression efforts.
Since January 1 2024, there has been a total of 23 wildfires burning a total of 38 ha in the Lac La Biche Forest Area.
SPRING WILDFIRE AWARENESS
There has been a lack of precipitation this winter which has created unusually dry conditions earlier into our fire season than normal. In many open areas there is an accumulation of dry grasses which can easily ignite and will burn quickly if conditions are right.
Firefighters in the area work to eliminate some of these areas where excessive dry fuels are present by hazard reduction burning. This will take away fuels that would have been easily ignitable or created worsening fire behaviour if a wildfire started in the area. Please give staff room to work effectively.
We can all do our part in preventing human caused wildfires by:
- being aware of any fire ban information in the area, check out albertafirebans.ca
- keeping your off-highway vehicle clear of any debris and stop often to cool down your machine
- being careful when grinding or welding in dry locations and always carry fire fighting equipment with you (fire extinguisher and hand tools)
- properly extinguishing your campfire by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. The ashes should be cold to the touch
- making sure your farming equipment is in good working order in order to reduce sparks
For more safe burning practises please visit https://www.alberta.ca/safe-burning
FIRE PERMITS
If you require a fire permit for any 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 still in effect. Please see albertafirebans.ca for more information regarding the status of fire permits.
FIRESMART
Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow. Visit the new FireSmart Alberta site to learn how taking proactive FireSmart measures around your house and yard can increase your property's resistance to wildfire.
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.
