Rocky Mountain House Area Update

Fire Restriction now in effect

Posted on Tue, May 03, 2016

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FIRE RESTRICTION - EXTREME FIRE HAZARD - CAUTION ADVISED  

The wildfire hazard remains Very High in the Rocky Forest Area and Extreme in much of Alberta.

A wildfire RESTRICTION is now in place for the ENTIRE Forest Protection Area of Alberta.  

All fire permits are suspended and no new permits will be issued. Safe wood campfires are permitted in designated campgrounds ONLY.

This restriction prohibits the use of:

  1. Wood campfires in the backcountry or random camping areas
  2. Charcoal briquettes
  3. Turkey fryers
  4. Tiki torches

This restriction does not apply to:

  1. Portable propane fire pits, that are CSA approved or UL certified, within campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas.
  2. Gas or propane stoves and barbeques, that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating, within campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas.
  3. Fires contained in industrial facilities or on industrial sites as approved by a forest officer.
  4. Wood burning campfires in engineered facilities in designated campgrounds.

This Ministerial Order comes into effect at 12:00 o’clock noon on the 3rd day of May, 2016.

 

Many municipalities in the area have firebans, restrictions or advisories in place.  For more information on these and other advisories, restrictions and fire bans in the province, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca and check municipality websites for updates.Completely extinguishour campfires

Provincial Wildfire Situation
- In the last 24 hours there have been 12 new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Three are being held, seven are under control and two has been extinguished.
- There are currently 31 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Two are considered out of control, four are being held, 15 are under control and 10 have been turned over to the responsible party.
- SWF-030 is considered out of control at 446.5 hectares and is located approximately 45 kilometres north west of Red Earth. There are 48 firefighters and five helicopters fighting this wildfire.
- MWF-009 is considered out of control at 2,656 hectares and is located approximately 5 kilometres west of Fort McMurray. There are 25 firefighters and seven helicopters fighting this wildfire.
Wildfire Report


Completely extinguish your campfires

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With the fire restriction in place, safe wood campfires are permitted in designated campgrounds ONLY.  All campfires must be burned within a fire pit ring with a non-flammable material such as clean sand underneath.  Ensure that there is no dry grass or other flammable material around the ring.

Be sure to completely extinguish your campfire before leaving it unattended.  Soak it with water, stir it and soak it again. Repeat this process until the ashes are cool to the touch.  

 

Keep your OHV cleanPREV_OHV_HotSpots_HubSpot.jpg

The hot areas on your OHV can collect dried grasses and other debris and start a wildfire.  Please clean your quad regularly throughout the day and carry a bucket with you to help in the event of a starting a wildfire.  Stop frequently and check behind you for hot spots.  If you start a fire with your OHV, call 310-FIRE immediately.

 

 

 

For more information

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To receive these updates:

Bookmark the Rocky Wildfire Update and check for updates anytime, or subscribe to have it emailed to you. You can also download our app, available for Apple and Android devices.

You can also find us onFacebook,Twitter or visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca

 

Barry A. Shellian RPFT
Area Information Coordinator
Rocky Forest Area
Department of Agriculture and Forestry
P 403.845.8351
May the forest be with you

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