Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - June 5, 2020

Posted on Fri, Jun 05, 2020

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Fire Advisory

WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger is now LOW in the Peace River Forest Area. 

Winds on Saturday are expected to come from the east at 30 km/hr with gusts up to 50 km/hr. 

These winds exceed the limits on all fire permits.  Remember that if you intend to burn you must evaluate the weather at your specific location, get a permit and follow the conditions. You can be held responsible if a fire escapes the burn permit area. Lighting a fire in sustained wind over 12km/hr is not permitted. Any fire started in these conditions will be difficult to control.

So far this season, there have been 19 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area, all of which have been extinguished.  

For more information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.

 

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

Due to reduced wildfire hazard, advanced operational preparedness and favourable weather conditions in many areas of the province, the fire ban in the Forest Protection Area has now been revoked and a fire advisory has been put on in its place.

A fire advisory means Albertans in the Forest Protection Area can safely enjoy the use of a fire pit in their backyard, charcoal briquettes on a barbecue, or a safe campfire.

Permitted:

  • safe wood campfires
  • backyard fire pits
  •       charcoal briquette barbecues
  • use of propane, natural gas or powered appliance
  • catalytic or infrared-style heaters
  • safe burning with a permit
  • recreational off-highway vehicle use

Not Permitted:

  • burning (excluding campfires) without a permit
  • unattended or unsafe campfires

Please call the Peace River Forest Area office at 780-624-6190 to request your fire permit.  Please note that permits may not be issued as usual under a fire advisory.  

These precautions were put in place as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response plan to avoid multiple disasters at a time when resources may be limited. Two hundred additional firefighters were hired and are now trained and positioned to respond to new wildfire starts.

Restrictions can be phased back in as necessary to address wildfire risk area-by-area, allowing Albertans the freedom to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We will re-evaluate daily.

We expect this fire advisory to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in Alberta, while allowing Albertans to enjoy outdoor activities as much as possible.

Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

 

SAFE OHV USE

OHV Hot Spots

If you choose to drive an off-highway vehicle in Alberta’s forested areas please remember:

  • OHV exhausts can get very hot, reaching temperatures of over 200 Celsius, causing debris caught near the exhaust to become superheated. This debris can potentially start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
  • It is crucial for Albertans to stop and check OHVs and the ground for any debris that may have fallen.
  • Before you ride, clean any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine.
  • Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.
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COVID-19 AND WILDFIRE

New COVID-19 safety measures have been developed in cooperation with workplace health and safety officials and Alberta Health. Key areas such as training, warehousing, aviation, and detection are some of the many areas that have been reviewed and adjusted to ensure staff safety.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 780-624-6190.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate through these difficult times.

For more information, visit:

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Or contact:

Crystal Burrows 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3743)

 

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