Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - June 3, 2019 (noon)

Posted on Mon, Jun 03, 2019

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-extreme.jpg

fire_ban_sign2

FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

FBSFireBan_SocialMedia-01Due to extreme 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 3, 2019 at noon)

There were no new fire starts so far today.  

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 72 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of three.  PWF 072 was discovered last night and is currently being held at 0.10 hectares in size.

 

WILDFIRES OF NOTE:

Battle Complex:

PCX-001 (formerly PWF 052 and 054) remains out of control at 52,322 hectares in size Manning/Notikewin area 

  • Yesterday was a successful day on the fire. There has been little change to the fire size recently. Ground crews and heavy equipment have made significant progress on many areas of the fire’s perimeter and they were able to begin work early again today, thanks in part to clear skies and cooler temperatures. The overnight humidity didn’t get as high as we anticipated but it still recovered quite well. Bucketing started early and will continue throughout the day as needed. Heavy equipment will focus on building guard on the north end of the fire today. Ground crews continue to focus on areas in the southeast and middle of the west side of the fire.

  • The fire continues to be active with visible smoke and flame. Wildfire suppression activities will not be completed for many weeks, and a large contingent of crews, heavy equipment and helicopters will remain in the area for some time.

  • More than 500 personnel, 23 helicopters and numerous pieces of heavy equipment are working on the fire today. Structure protection crews continue to work in the area as well. The fire’s size is estimated at just over 55,000 hectares.   

PWF 070 is now 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.  Firefighters and aircraft are continuing to work towards extinguishing this fire and do not expect the perimeter to grow beyond the current boundaries.  

 

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 if you do not need to be there.

 

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

 

FIRE WEATHER

Cooler temperatures (low to mid teens) and higher RH levels (45-50) are expected today.  Thundershowers are expected to pass through the area which will bring some rain but also stronger winds and lightning.  Winds are expected to be from the SW at 20km/hr gusting up to 40 km/hr and then shift to the NW at 20 km/hr gusting to 45 km/hr later in the day.

 

SAFETY NOTICES

EVACUATIONS

County of Northern Lights:

The County of Northern Lights has issued a number of evacuations for the area.  For more information and updates on their status, download the Alberta Emergency Alert app, listen to the local radio station or visit the County of Northern Lights website: www.countyofnorthernlights.com or the County’s facebook page www.facebook.com/countyofnorthernlights.

Please note:

All evacuees are requested to report at the Registration Centre located at the County of Northern Lights Main Office building at #600-7th Ave NW Manning. Registering helps the County of Northern Lights to keep you informed throughout this situation and for re-entry into your community. 

 
Town of Manning/County of Northern Lights:
 
  • The County of Northern Lights has lifted the evacuation order from Range Road 922 to Twin Lakes Campground effective at noon today (June 3, 2019). An evacuation alert remains in effect for this area and residents should be prepared to leave again on short notice.
  • The evacuation order for the area from Twin Lakes Campground up to the County of Northern Light’s northern border, including Keg River and Carcajou remains in effect.
  • The evacuation alert for the Town of Manning including surround County of Northern Lights residents north of township road 910 (Northstar road) and south of township road 922 (Notikewin road) and all those west of range road 231 remains in effect.
Potentially affected residents must begin preparations to evacuate on short notice (fueling vehicles, gathering documents, preparing food and water and animal safety, etc.)
 
In the event that the evacuation order is given, the Emergency Coordination Centre will instruct you on an evacuation route and reception centre.
 
Please continue to monitor the local media stations, the County of Northern Lights website (www.countyofnorthernlights.com) and the Town of Manning Facebook page for updates.  
   
 
Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement:
 
Paddle Prairie has been evacuated since last Sunday evening.  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

Highway 35 remains closed north of Twin Lakes due to the Chuckegg fire.  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.

 

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

App_promo.jpg
 

 

Or contact:

Crystal Burrows 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3743)

 

RELATED INFORMATION