Peace River Area Update

Peace River Forest Area Update - May 19, 2019

Posted on Sat, May 18, 2019

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The wildfire danger is EXTREME in the Peace River Forest Area.

Fire 52 experienced aggressive fire behavior this afternoon due to weather conditions.  The fire grew substantially, however it remains south of the Hotchkiss River by about a half a mile.  More details below.

Chin Road is closed to traffic.  Smoke or active fire could make travel in this area unsafe.  Please avoid this area.

We are experiencing extreme wildfire weather.  For the next several days the temperature is going to be equal to or greater than the humidity levels and the winds are going to be strong and gusty.  The forest area is extremely dry.  Any fires that start will spread quickly and be very difficult to contain.

We are under a RED FLAG WEATHER WATCH which could be upgraded to a WARNING at any time.  This means weather conditions could make it too dangerous to have personnel on the fireline.

 

FIRE BAN and QUAD RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

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Due to extreme wildfire danger from dry grass and weather indicators, a Fire Ban and Quad Restriction is now in effect for the Peace River Forest Area and most of northern Alberta.  Visit albertafirebans.ca for more information.

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. 

To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca

 

Many nearby municipalities have advisories, restrictions or firebans in place.  Please check www.albertafirebans.ca for more information.

 

WILDFIRE UPDATE

There have been 60 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of those below:

WILDFIRES OF NOTE:

Battle Complex (Notikewin and Battle River wildfires):

Battle Commplex pic May 17

PWF 052 yesterday afternoon.  Smokes like this one were visible on the west and northeast flanks of the fire today.

We are experiencing extreme wildfire weather.  For the next several days the temperature is going to be equal to or greater than the humidity levels and the winds are going to be strong and gusty.  The forest area is extremely dry.   

The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 21 degrees, humidity of 15%, and SE winds at 25-30 km gusting 40 km/hr.  There is no precipitation in sight.  Similar conditions are expected for Monday and Tuesday.  Lighter winds are called for on Wednesday/Thursday.

  • PWF 052 remains out of control in the Notikewin Area. An accurate size is not available due to smoke conditions and extreme fire behavior this afternoon.  The fire is greater than 4171 hectares.
    • This fire is located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the town of Manning.  Extreme dry weather conditions and strong and gusty winds accelerated fire behavior this afternoon.  Trees were torching and candling and the wind was carrying embers a significant distance, making firefighting difficult. Crews, airtankers and helicopters with buckets worked all day to minimize the spread of this wildfire. Tankers worked to help steer the wildfire into pockets of aspen and keep the west flank from blowing out.  Crews and heavy equipment worked on the east side of the fire, which was very active as well.
    • Camps and facilities have been evacuated along the Chin Road.  This road is closed to traffic.  Smoke and potential fire crossing could make travel unsafe in this area.
    • Crews will attack this fire again early tomorrow morning.  Most crews will focus on securing the southeast flank of the fire and the south/southwest tip of the fire, where it will be safer to work.  The intent is to continue to focus on the east side of the fire, strengthening guard and extinguishing hot spots to keep burning embers from escaping. 
    • As it is safe to do so tomorrow, before the winds pick up, airtankers and aerial crews will work near the head of the fire and in the areas of growth from today along the flanks.
  • PWF 054 remains being held at 74 hectares in size in the Battle River area.  Smoke was visible from burning trees within the fire perimeter today.   This fire is surrounded by dozer guard. Crews will work again tomorrow with pumps and hoses, moving inward from the perimeter to make sure all hotspots are extinguished. We don't want any embers left that could be carried by the wind and start another wildfire. 

Tomorrow we will have over 200 firefighters, five airtankers and two bird dogs, 18 helicopters, six dozer units, various pieces of heavy equipment, and other support personnel working on the Battle Complex.

Battle Complex Map 

For updates on efforts being taken by municipal fire fighters to provide structural protection and emergency preparedness information, please visit the County of Northern Lights website.

 OTHER WILDFIRES IN THE AREA:

  • PWF 043 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.50 hectares.
  • PWF 047 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.01 hectares.
  • PWF 058 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.01 hectares.
  • PWF 062 is under control at just under two hectares.
  • PWF 064 is being held and is .01 hectares.
  • PWF 066 is out of control at just over 10 hectares (we expect this fire to downgrade to being held later tonight).
  • PWF 067 is being held at .01.

For your safety and the safety of the numerous firefighters working to contain these wildfires, please 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 PERMITS SUSPENDED

 Fire permits have been suspended, effective 1800 hours, May 16.  

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 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:

Leslie Lozinski 

Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 623-9758

leslie.lozinski@gov.ab.ca