With SWF-068 (see below) and a fire shared with the Grand Prairie Forest Area (GWF-018), there are currently seven wildfires burning in the Peace River Forest Area (PRFA) – five entirely within the PRFA. Six are under control and one (PWF-038) is out of control. Five of the seven are carryover wildfires from the 2023 wildfire season, and all are being monitored by Alberta Wildfire personnel.

 

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 currently estimated to cover 1.5 hectares and is considered out of control. Firefighters, aircraft and other resources are currently engaged. Its cause is under investigation. 

 

PWF-037

 

This wildfire, which is approximately 45 km west (and slightly north) of Manning, is estimated to cover 17 hectares at this time. It is now under control and firefighters and resources remain engaged. Over the past 72 hours, firefighters, helicopters and aircraft (dropping water and retardant) have been engaged on this wildfire. Its cause remains under investigation (see image directly below).

 

 

 

PWF-037, west of the Town of Manning, is being engaged by Albert Wildfire personnel and aircraft (May 27) 

 

 

SWF068 (2023)

 

This carry-over fire from 2023, which is under control (and shared with Slave Lake Forest Area), continues to be monitored closely – with equipment operators on scene – as we continue our efforts to extinguish.    

 

Note: Two 2024 fires (PWF019 and PWF031), which Alberta Wildfire personnel had been actively engaged with in recent days, are now considered extinguished and no longer noted above or on the interactive map.

 

Since January 1, there have been 38 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area, which have burned approximately 135 hectares. 

To view these wildfires 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 personnel assist in set-up for Peace River Pow Wow 

Alberta Wildfire personnel and a few community members worked together on May 30 to put up a "tepee" (tipi) in preparation for the Peace River Traditional Pow Wow – a vibrant celebration of culture, community and tradition – the weekend of June 1-2. 

A "Walk-in-the-Forest" Day at Wilderness Park

An Alberta forest officer discusses trees and conservation with grade 6 students at Wilderness Park, just west of the Town of Peace River, on May 22.

Firefighters unload equipment as part of "Walk-in-the-Forest" Day – aimed at raising awareness of forests, conservation and fire safety among grade 6 students – at Wilderness Park on May 22.

Grade 6 students gather around a forest officer talking about forests and conservation, during a "Walk-in-the-Forest" Day held at Wilderness Park, near the Town of Peace River, on May 22.

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 aerial firefighting operations because it is not safe for our aircraft to fly with drones operating in the vicinity. Interfering with wildfire control operations can land you a court appearance: for more information go to the Government of Alberta website.

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

THE PEOPLE BEHIND "ALBERTA WILDFIRE"

Cristalle Fairbank (above and below) is one of Alberta Wildfire's pilots for the L-188 Electra air tanker, based in Manning, Alta. -- in the PRFA) -- an aircraft that is used to drop water and retardant in support of the fire suppression efforts of our firefighters and other operators on the ground.

The Alberta Wildfire team is supported by firefighters, as well as logistics, air and other specialist staff – and, of course, the families, friends and neighbours behind them – in their work protecting people, communities and the environment across the province.

Firefighters (above) with Alberta Wildfire participate in "hover exit" exercises in Manning, Alta. on May 7. These exercises are part of their ongoing training in support of fire prevention and suppression efforts across the province.

Firefighters (above) participate in chain-saw training at Haig Lake in early May. This course is one of several that prepare Alberta Wildfire personnel for their work protecting residents, communities, forests and the environment in the area.

FireSmart

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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HELPFUL LINKS

• Alberta Wildfire Status
• Alberta Fire Bans
• Air Quality Health Index
• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• 511 Road Reports
• Emergency Preparation