Rocky Mountain House Area Update

Prescribed Fire Update & Forest Act Survey

Posted on Fri, Mar 11, 2016

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-moderate.jpgThe Rocky Forest Area has a Moderate wildfire hazard in areas where snow has gone.

Yesterday there was one human caused wildfire. RWF-131 is now under control at one hectare and has been turned over to the landowner for extinguishment.

Remember to check your winter burns. Soak it, Stir it and Soak it again!

Provincial summary:
- In the last week there have been four new wildfires. Three are under control and one has been turned over to the responsible party,
- Alberta currently has 23 wildfires. 12 are under control and 11 have been turned over to the responsible party. More details

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Due to snow fall no no operations were completed on the Upper Clearwater Prescribed fire yesterday.

Agriculture and Forestry is planning for up to five prescribed fires in the Rocky Forest Area  during the 2016 season. These will be located in the Blackstone, Chungo, Wapiabi, Hummingbird and Upper Clearwater areas.

Operations will only commence when forecasted weather and on-the-ground conditions permit. We will proceed when and where they can ensure a safe operation that will meet the overall objectives of the prescribed fire. While spring conditions are preferred to complete these projects, operations may be underway anytime from spring through to late fall.

Prescribed fires are the proactive, knowledgeable and controlled applications of fire to accomplish well-defined resource management objectives. These fires are applied under select weather conditions and managed to minimize risk and maximize the benefits to the site.

Prescribed fire supports FireSmart principles that reduce wildfire threat to Albertans and their communities by reducing the likelihood of large uncontrollable wildfires while creating a healthier forest.

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Blackstone
Size 2750 hectares
40 km north west of Nordegg
- Establish a fuel break at the Blackstone Gap  
- Improve ungulate habitat

Chungo
Size 486 hectares
47 km noth west of Nordegg
- Establish a fuel break at the Chungo Gap
- Improve ungulate habitat

Wapiabi
Size 675 hectares
25 km west of Nordegg
- Establish fuel break in the Wapiabi Gap area
- Improve ungulate habitat

Hummingbird
Size 558 hectares
80 km south of Nordegg
- Establish a fire break at the Ram River Gap 
- Improve ungulate habitat

Upper Clearwater
Size – 470 hectares
50 km west of Caroline and 7 km east of Banff National Park
- Establish a fuel break in the Upper Clearwater valley
- Improve ungulate habitat

Survey

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Wildfire Management Branch is seeking input on proposed amendments to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and associated regulations. The two primary associated regulations are the Forest and Prairie Protection Regulations, Part I and the Forest and Prairie Protection Regulations, Part II. You do not need to be familiar with the legislation and regulations to complete the survey.

The goal of the proposed legislative and regulatory amendments is to:

  • Update the fine levels and structure to align with other similar provincial legislation,
  • Clarify wording to better reflect and support current operational practices in the field, and
  • Complete any required consequential administrative amendments (e.g. terminology and form updates)

There is a discussion paper attached to the survey that provides further detail on the proposed amendments.

There is also the opportunity to suggest additional amendments at the end of the survey.

The survey closes on Friday, April 15, 2016, responses need to be completed by the closing date to be included in the online post-survey summary.

Link to survey 

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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