Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - June 23, 2019

Posted on Sun, Jun 23, 2019

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sky over tents at Battle Camp

As the sun sets on another weekend, our crews will soon be settling in for the night to prepare for another day of working on the Battle Complex tomorrow.  

 

FIRE BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT

FireBan

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.

 

Thank you for your continued co-operation.

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE (current as of 9 pm on June 23, 2019)

There have been 89 wildfires this fire season in the Peace River Forest Area, all but three of which have now been extinguished:

Battle Complex- PCX-001 (formerly PWF 052 and 054):

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

Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment, 75% of the fire perimeter is now considered to be contained. A combination of crews, heavy equipment and aerial resources continued to target and action the hot spots today and will do so tomorrow as well.  There is limited fire behaviour potential for the next few days with the forecasted unsettled weather.

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.  Crews continue to patrol the fire.

PWF 070 map 


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 continue to work on this wildfire.

PWF 076 map
 
 
 
Active Wildfires in Adjacent Forest Areas:

For updates on fires in the High Level Forest Area, please visit http://srd.web.alberta.ca/high-level-area-update 

For updates on fires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, please visit http://srd.web.alberta.ca/slave-lake-area-update 

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

 

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

 

SAFETY NOTICES


EVACUATION UPDATES

 
Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement:
 
The evacuation order for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement will be rescinded effective at 1:00 pm on Thursday, June 20, 2019.  
 
All residents are requested to register their return at the welcome centre that has been established at the community hall.
 
Please call 780-981-2227 for more information.
 


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. 

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

 

HAZARD TREES

For your own safety and the safety of firefighters, please do not enter burned over areas, as the roots of burned trees are weakened and can fall without any wind. Firefighters may also still be working in the area and be unaware of your presence.

 

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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