The 2016 wildfire season officially began on March 1st  

An early start to the wildfire season ensures firefighters are recruited, trained and positioned to respond quickly to any wildfires that happen in the early spring.

There have been 8 wildfires in the Peace Forest Area since March 1st, all of them human-caused.  

Do your part to prevent wildfires this spring 

Although it's cold and there is snow on the ground, the mild and dry winter 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.

Be sure to extinguish your winter campfires

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

Check your winter brushpiles to ensure they are extinguished

When checking your brushpiles, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. Use your bare hand to feel for heat over the ash piles. If you see smoke or feel any heat, the fire is still burning beneath the surface. Douse any remaining hot spots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not completely extinguished until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes.

Before you burn it, get your permit

Beginning March 1st, all burning activities in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, require a fire permit. Fire permits are free and available at your local Agriculture and Forestry office.  You can call 780-624-6190 for more information or to obtain you free fire permit.

Please visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca/jobs for more information on our many seasonal job opportunities.

For more information contact:

Crystal Burrows - Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 618-6215

crystal.burrows@gov.ab.ca