Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

The fire danger is MODERATE. This means that if a wildfire were to occur it would exhibit creeping or gentle surface fire along the forest floor dependent on conditions.

To report smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).

sept 23 fire danger map (002)-png

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 61 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 30 hectares (ha). At this time, there are no active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, there have been 1,161 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area (FPA) that have burned 708,119 hectares. There are currently 59 active wildfires in the FPA. Of these wildfires, 15 are being held and 44 are under control.

For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

HUNTING SEASON HAS BEGUN

As temperatures drop and more people venture into the forest on hunting trips you may want to start a warming or cooking fire. We hope that you keep campfire safety tips at the top of your mind while you enjoy the outdoors.

In the backcountry or where there is no dedicated fire ring you can make a safe campfire by:

making a circle about one metre around
digging or scraping down to the mineral soil
clearing away any flammable materials within one metre of the pit

When extinguishing campfires always remember to soak it, stir it and soak it again.

Safe campfires: Wildfire prevention tips

GET YOUR FREE FIRE PERMIT

Until October 31, all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, require a fire permit.

Fire permits ensure safe burning practices and allow staff to know where burning is approved so firefighters and aircraft are free to fight wildfires. Your municipality may have its own rules and restrictions in place. Contact them for further details.

To get your free fire permit you can phone your local forestry office in Whitecourt at 780-778-7153 or by going online and applying at www.alberta.ca.

treeCuttingPermit_2022

GET YOUR HARVEST PERMIT

Personal Use Forest Products Permits are for small-scale personal use only (no resale) for Christmas trees, firewood or transplants. These free permits are available online or in person at your nearest forestry office.

PUFPPs authorize Albertans to cut and removed timber from designated Crown land only. The area-specific PUFPP document must be with you at all times while cutting or transporting trees from Crown land. In one 30-day period, a person can hold up to 4 permits – up to one permit each for: firewood, Christmas trees, roundwood and transplants.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Are you interested in a career in wildfire? Come out and talk to Alberta Wildfire staff at the 2024 Career Expo at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre on Thursday, September 26 from 9:30am-4:00pm.

LOCAL WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Subscribe to Whitecourt Forest Area updates to receive an email notification when new information is posted.

Download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android devices. Once you open the app, click the "i" icon at the bottom left to view the latest forest area updates.

For more information, please contact:

selfie hubspot colby