Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

The wildfire danger for the Whitecourt Forest Area is VERY HIGH.

If a wildfire were to start when fire danger is very high, high-intensity fire is expected and likely to spread to treetops. Fire is expected to start easily and to challenge suppression efforts.

Hot and dry conditions will continue well into next week.

As a result of the heat, grasses and forested areas will dry out quickly. We all play a part in preventing wildfires.

If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).

Fire Ban wide

A fire ban is in effect as of 4 p.m. on July 10 in the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Whitecourt Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.

Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks), are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.

Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if a fire ban or restriction is in place in your area.

Under this fire ban:

All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
No new fire permits will be issued.
Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited:

All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits
Barbeque charcoal briquettes
Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances
Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE

Since January 1st, 2024, there have been 41 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 19 hectares (ha).

There are currently no active wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

To view wildfires on our interactive map, visit the wildfire status page and follow the active wildfire link.

lightning strike

A tree was struck by lightning on July 13th in the Crooked lake area. A witness saw the initial strike and noticed the tree caught fire, he then quickly called it in with 310-fire.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SUMMARY (as of 10:00 am July 15, 2024)

Since January 1, there have been 788 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 269,913.3 hectares (ha). Of these wildfires, 27 are classified as out of control, 28 are being held, 36 are under control and 694 have been extinguished.
Since our last report on July 13, 2024, there have been 12 new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
There are currently 95 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 27 are classified as out of control, 28 are classified as being held and 40 are under control.
There are four carryover wildfires from the 2023 season. There has been no status change to carryover wildfires since our last report.

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

MEET EMBER THE FIRESMART FOX

Meet Ember, FireSmart’s official mascot. Ember teaches Canadians how to apply FireSmart principles to their homes and properties so they can be more resilient against the threat of wildfire.

Ember reminds us of the simple yet effective steps to take to reduce wildfire risk for our homes and our communities.

OTHER FIRESMART INFORMATION

Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow. Visit FireSmart Alberta to learn how taking proactive FireSmart measures around your house and yard can increase your property's resistance to wildfire.

Download the Farm and Acreage Guide for additional information for rural properties.

For more information, please contact:

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