FIRE SEASON STARTED MARCH 1

The 2020 Fire Season started March 1, 2020.  Fire permits are now required for all burning, with the exception of heating or warming fires, within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.  The Peace River Forest Area office is closed to the public.  Call the Peace River Forest Area office at 780-624-6190 to find out how to obtain your FREE fire permit.

DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT SPRING WILDFIRES

Although it's cold and there is snow on the ground, conditions are favorable for holdover fires. A fire left smoldering can burn under the snow all winter long emerging as a wildfire in the spring.  Please be responsible and burn safely.

Be sure to extinguish your campfires

Soak it with water, stir it up and soak it again. The ashes should be cool to the touch.

Check your winter brush piles to ensure they are extinguished

• STIR IT: spread out the remaining material within the pile using a metal probe, or if necessary, heavy equipment. Dig down into the soil to make sure the fire has not burned down to the root system.
• SOAK IT: soak the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced by the pile. 
• STIR IT AGAIN: Roll the debris over. Using your bare hand, feel for heat while looking for steam. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat coming from the ashes.

Learn about safe winter burning practices and brush pile and windrow burning.

WILDFIRE UPDATE

Due to the recent snowfall, the wildfire danger level is LOW in the Peace River Forest Area. Despite the low hazard levels, please remember, safe winter burning practices are always in season.

Throughout the winter months, Alberta Wildfire will continue to monitor and respond to any wildfires. To report a wildfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, call 310-FIRE (3473).

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

COVID-19 AND WILDFIRE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, and every day, the health and safety of firefighters, support staff and the people of Alberta is our first priority.

While aggressive public health measures continue to help limit the spread, Alberta Wildfire is taking necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our staff.

An Incident Management Team (IMT) is developing a response plan that will ensure we can effectively manage wildfires during the 2020 wildfire season. Various scenarios are being explored with the focus on staff safety related to firefighting operations.

The Peace River Forest Area office is currently closed to the public.  If you have any questions, please contact our office at 780-624-6190.

For more information, visit:

COVID-19 info for Albertans 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION