PEACE RIVER FOREST AREA / WILDFIRE SITUATION
The fire danger is extreme in the northern part of the province. It is high to very high in the central boreal, the central agricultural zone, and the south.
Since January 1, there have been 638 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 96,350 hectares (ha). Last year, on this date, there were 824 wildfires that had burned 2,153,759 ha across the province. The five-year average — from January 1 to this date — is 644 wildfires, which had burned 608,815 ha across the province.
CLASSIFICATIONS | Learn more about wildfire classifications.
LOCATIONS | View this wildfire on our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
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LIGHTNING
Nature's fire starter
When it comes to starting wildfires in Alberta, lightning is second only to human activity. Of the 49 fires in the Peace River Forest Area in 2024, 17 have been caused by lightning.
Although lightning caused wildfires cannot be prevented, we can prepare and anticipate them with weather monitoring and resource allocation.
Learn more about forest fires and lightning.
SAFE CAMPFIRES
Never leave a campfire unattended: Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch.
Wildfires can start anytime of year if the conditions are right. Here are a few tips that will help ensure a safe campfire:
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- 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.
- 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.
Using off-highway vehicles (OHV), tools and equipment? Please use caution if you are using an OHV or doing any work that will produce a spark, friction or hot exhaust. With an OHV, check your muffler and maintain your vehicle in good working condition; avoid use in areas with tall grass.
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
Drones are not permitted within five nautical miles (or 9.3 kilometers) of a wildfire. If you fly a drone within this distance, it is not safe for our aircraft to fly in the vicinity. Learn how Alberta Wildfire fights fires.
For more information on regulations for the use of drones near wildfires, visit Transport Canada's website.
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