Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - June 12, 2019- 11 pm

Posted on Wed, Jun 12, 2019

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pwf076

PWF 076 was discovered shortly before noon today in the Cliffdale area

 

FIRE BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT

FBSFireBan_SocialMedia-01Due to the continued wildfire danger from dry grass and weather indicators, the Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remains in effect for the Peace River Forest Area and most of northern Alberta. 

Existing fire permits are suspended until further notice. 

Prohibited

  • All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.
  • Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
  • Fireworks and exploding targets.
  • The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands. 

Allowed

  • Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
  • Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.
  • Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.
  • OHVs for industrial use, agricultural use, and traditional use by Indigenous peoples, as well as use on private lands. 

The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. 

Many nearby municipalities have advisories, restrictions or firebans in place.  Please check www.albertafirebans.ca for more information and to view a map of the fireban/OHV restriction boundaries.

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE (current as of June 12, 2019 at 11 pm)

Numerous resources including crews, aircraft and heavy equipment groups have been placed throughout the area on standby and at the ready to quickly action any new wildfire starts.  

There have been 77 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of three.  

Battle Complex:

PCX-001 (formerly PWF 052 and 054):

This lightning caused fire remains out of control at 55,179 hectares in size in the Manning/Notikewin area  

  • Fire activity began to increase this afternoon but everything is still within the containment lines.  While the perimeter has been fortified and has been holding, there are numerous pockets of unburned trees within the fire that will continue to burn.  Nearby residents will continue to see signs of active burning such as smoke columns in the fire area.    

  • Battle Complex Map

PWF 070 remains classified as under control at 251 hectares in size west of Keg River.  The fire has been completely surrounded by dozer guard and the perimeter has not changed since Monday of last week.    

PWF 070 map 

 

PWF 076 was discovered just before noon today in the Cliffdale area (33 kms east of St. Isidore and 27 kms south of Cadotte Lake). 

  • This fire is now being held at 37 hectares in size thanks to the hard work of the numerous air tankers, helicopters, and firefighters that have been working on this fire today.  
  • Heavy equipment groups will be working overnight to surround this fire with dozer guard.   
  • A perimeter map is not currently available but will be shared as soon as possible.
  • No communities are at risk at this time.

PWF 076 map

 
PWF 077 has been extinguished at 0.03 hectares in size west of Manning

HWF 042 (Chuckegg Creek Fire)

For updates on this fire, please visit http://srd.web.alberta.ca/high-level-area-update 

 

For your safety and the safety of the numerous firefighters working to contain these wildfires, please stay obey the access restrictions and stay out of the area.

 

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

 

FIRE WEATHER

Tomorrow's temperatures are expected to drop to 18-19 degrees while the relative humidity is expected to increase to 40-50%.  Approximately 50% of the area should see some light showers over the next 24 hours, but some of that will come in the form of thundershowers, so there is also a high chance of lighting passing through the area which could cause new lightning fires.  Winds are expected to be relatively light tomorrow from the NW at 15-20 km/hr.

 

SAFETY NOTICES

EVACUATION UPDATES

County of Northern Lights/Town of Manning:

Evacuation Alert Status Remains in Place:

Due to the existing Battle Complex Wildfire and the Chuckegg Creek Wildfire still burning out of control, the Joint Emergency Coordination Centre for the Town of Manning and The County of Northern Lights continues to maintain an evacuation alert status for households located within the following boundaries:

Boundary of Evacuation Alert:

  • Town of Manning
  • Northward from Township Road 910, (North Star Road)
  • Everyone west from Range Road 231
  • Everyone west of the Notikewin River
  • Everyone south of the County’s northern boundary (Keg River/Carcajou)

 

Please continue to monitor the County Website at www.countyofnorthernlights.com and the County or Northern Lights Facebook page and Town of Manning facebook page for updates. You should also download the Alberta Emergency Alert app.  

  
 
Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement:
 
Paddle Prairie remains evacuated.  Evacuees should register at the reception centre located at the Grande Prairie Regional College.  The reception centre phone number is 780-567-5587.
 
For information on the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement evacuation, please visit their Facebook page. 


For more information on evacuation alerts, visit Alberta Emergency Alert or download the free Alberta Emergency Alert app.

72 hour emergency preparedness kit      

 

ROAD CLOSURES

The Chinchaga Road continues to be closed to the public. It can be accessed by commercial traffic but there are danger trees along the route so those using the road must stop at the checkpoints, drive 50 km/hr and drive straight through the area affected by the fire.  No stopping is permitted while traversing the fire area. 

Highway 35 is open for travel between Township Road 1022 and 5km south of High Level. This portion requires a police escort. Expect major delays in the area. There still is no access to Paddle Prairie at this time due to the wildfire.

For information on road closures and other access related hazards, visit Alberta 511 or download the free Alberta 511 app.

 

SMOKE

Smoke may be drifting into the area for the foreseeable future. Anyone with health concerns should check with Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24/7 health advice from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map, visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.  

Smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta may also cause reduced visibility. Please turn your vehicle headlights from auto to on when driving. For further information on air quality, visit: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/air.aspx

 

FIRE PERMITS SUSPENDED

All fire permits have been suspended, effective on May 16 at 6 pm.  No fire permits will be issued until the fire danger conditions improve.  

Please call the Peace River Forest Area office at 780-624-6190 if you have any questions about fire permits.

 

DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT WILDFIRES

Please continue to respect the fire ban and quad restriction currently in effect.  

  

FIRESMART

You can protect your home from wildfire

Protecting your home from wildfire starts with simple actions. Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.

Learn more at firesmartcanada.ca.

 

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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