Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - June 17, 2019 - 9:30 pm

Posted on Mon, Jun 17, 2019

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June 16 1825

Active behaviour today on the Battle Creek Fire.

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

Battle Complex:

PCX-001 (formerly PWF 052 and 054):

This lightning caused fire is now BEING HELD at 55,179 hectares in size in the Manning/Notikewin area. 

South of the Hotchkiss River crews continued to mop up to 100 feet from fire edge, and patrolled areas previously worked.  In addition, crews continue to target scan results.

Conditions were hot and dry with temperatures reaching 28 C with a 25% relative humidity. Winds were southeast, switching southwest at 20 kpm, gusting to 40 kpm.

Tonight a cold front is expected to pass over reducing temperatures for tomorrow. A forecast high of 19 C with a relative humidity of 35% and wind WSW 25 kph gusting to 40 kph. Fire activity may increase due to wind.

A transition will take place tomorrow with an Alberta team taking over for the BC Incident Management Team. The BC Team will be leaving the fire site on Tuesday morning.

There are 319 firefighters and support staff, 14 helicopters and 41 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. 

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.  Crews continue to patrol the fire.

PWF 076 is under control at 37 hectares in size in the Cliffdale area (33 kms east of St. Isidore and 27 kms south of Cadotte Lake). Firefighters and air support are working on this wildfire.

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.

 

SAFETY NOTICES


EVACUATION UPDATES

County of Northern Lights/Town of Manning:

Evacuation Alert Status has been lifted:

At 8:00 a.m. Friday, June 14th, 2019 the Joint Emergency Coordination Centre for the Town of Manning and the County of Northern Lights RESCINDS the Evacuation Alert Status for the following boundaries:

Evacuation Alert has been lifted for:

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

More information on the Alert Status being lifted can be found at http://www.countyofnorthernlights.com/did-you-know/evacuation-alert-status-rescinded-residents-of-county-of-northern-lights-and-town-of-manning/

  
 
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 has been drifting back into the area throughout the day and there have even been reports of ash falling in some areas.  This smoke is coming in from the Chuckegg Fire in the High Level Forest Area.  For more information on that fire, please see the link above.

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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