Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Wildfire Update

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

A fire advisory is now in effect for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area section of the Forest Protection Area due to expected warm temperatures and increased wind speeds.

Under this advisory:

Existing fire permits are still valid
No new fire permits will be issued until the advisory is lifted

Prohibited:

Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited

Allowed:

Safe wood campfires *
Backyard fire pits
Portable propane fire pits
Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:

a) be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;
b) have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
c) have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and
d) Municipalities, parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

PROVINCIAL UPDATE

There are currently five wildfires in the Forest Protection Area (FPA) of Alberta. One of these wildfire is under control from the 2020 wildfire season. It is located in the Calgary Forest Area at 2,420 ha. The other four wildfires have been turned over to the responsible parties.

Since March 1 there have been 29 wildfires in the FPA, burning a total of 9.57 ha. The five-year average for this time period is 24 wildfires burning 9.45 hectares.

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

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