Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - June 8, 2024 (1:10 p.m.)

Posted on Sat, Jun 08, 2024

There is currently no fire advisory in the Peace River Forest Area.

Please use caution when spending time in forested areas. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473). 

*Note that the Peace River Forest Area is split between parts to the north, centre and east, which are considered low (fire danger), and parts to the south and south-west, which are considered moderate to high. Accordingly, the overall area rating is considered moderate, as per the banner above.

 

Never leave a campfire unattended: Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.

While it may feel like summer isn't here yet, the chance of a wildfire is very real. Wildfires can start anytime of year if the conditions are right.

Here are a few tips that will help ensure a safe campfire:

  • Never leave your campfire unattended. Before you leave your campfire, ensure you fully extinguish it by soaking the ashes, stirring them and soaking them again until they are cool to the touch.

  • Choose a safe site that is out of the wind and on bare mineral ground. Ensure that sparks can't fly into nearby dry fuels or grass (a spark will fly farther than you think).

  • Ensure you have sufficient firefighting equipment, including water, nearby. Don't take chances; a spark in dry grass will ignite easily and spread very quickly in windy conditions.

  • Remember to visit www.albertafirebans.ca before heading out, to find the latest information about fire bans in the province.

Using tools and equipment? Please use caution if you are doing any work that will produce a spark, friction or hot exhaust. This includes grinding, welding and operating heavy equipment in any location: whether commercial, industrial or farming. Wildfires will catch easily and burn quickly under these conditions. 

*** Alberta Wildfire typically sees an increase in human-caused wildfires during the spring and over long weekends, so please do your part to prevent wildfires. ***

 

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WILDFIRE SITUATION - PEACE RIVER FOREST AREA (PRFA) 
 
There are currently seven wildfires burning in the Peace River Forest Area, including SWF-068 (shared with Slave Lake Forest Area) and GWF-018 (shared with the Grand Prairie Forest Area) — all are under control. Five of the seven are carryover wildfires from the 2023 wildfire season, and all are being monitored by Alberta Wildfire personnel.
 
PWF-039
 
This wildfire, which occurred in a small area (0.8 ha) just NE of Worsley and just north of the Eureka River, on June 5, has now been extinguished. The PRFA investigation found the fire to have been caused by a power line, which was downed by wind.  
 
PWF-038
 
This wildfire, which is approximately 160 km NW of Manning and about 14 km east of the B.C. border (in the area of Milligan Hills), is under control and estimated to cover 5.2 hectares. The PRFA investigation found this wildfire to have been caused by lightning. 
 
PWF-037
 
This wildfire, which is approximately 45 km west (and slightly north) of Manning, is under control and estimated to cover 17 hectares. The PRFA investigation found this wildfire to have been caused by lightning. 
 
Since January 1, there have been 39 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area, which have burned approximately 138.6 hectares. 

To view on a map, download the AB Wildfire Status App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status page.

REMINDER: Please do NOT use drones in the vicinity of wildfires, as their use forces us to halt air operations, hindering the work of our firefighters and fire suppression efforts (see below).

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Alberta Wildfire participates with Indigenous and other community members in the Peace River Traditional Pow Wow

Darcy Metchooyeah (centre, black ballcap), a member of the Peace River Forest Area support team, represented Alberta Wildfire (Forestry and Parks)  while carrying the Eagle Feather Staff (a symbol of strength and courage) during the "Grand Entry"  at the Peace River Traditional Pow Wow on June 1.

This vibrant, cultural event, held at the Agricultural Grounds over the weekend (June 1-2), is attended by hundreds of community members, and representatives of many organizations, in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in the area. 

 

Key members of the "Grand Entry" group, including Alberta Wildfire's representative (yellow shirt), participate in the Peace River Traditional Pow Wow on June 1.

Darcy Metchooyeah (centre, yellow shirt), representing Alberta Wildfire (Forestry and Parks), shakes hands with RCMP members and others at the Peace River Traditional Pow Wow  a vibrant, cultural and community event, on June 1. 

The Eagle Feather Staff (a symbol of strength and courage), which was carried during the "Grand Entry" by an Indigenous Alberta Wildfire representative.

 

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DRONES

Drones are not permitted within five nautical miles (or 9.3 kilometers) of a wildfire. If you fly a drone within this distance of a wildfire, it immediately halts our aerial firefighting operations as it is not safe for our aircraft to fly with drones operating in the vicinity.

https://www.alberta.ca/how-we-fight-wildfires#jumplinks-2

For more information on regulations for the use of drones near wildfires, visit Transport Canada's website. 

 

2024 seasonal recruitment

Now hiring

Are you interested in joining the Alberta Wildfire team this summer or a future year? We hire a variety of positions for each wildfire season. Apply today through the Alberta Jobs portal

 


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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 home and structures from wildfire, download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.

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CONTACT:

Mark Giles, APR
Wildfire Information Officer
Peace River Forest Area
(780) 618-2081
 
 

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