Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

The wildfire danger for the Whitecourt Forest Area remains very high.

Hot and dry conditions will continue throughout this week. As a result of the heat, grasses and forested areas will dry out quickly. If a wildfire were to start when fire danger is very high, high-intensity fire would be expected and likely to spread to treetops. In this situation, fire is expected to start easily and would challenge suppression efforts.

We all play a part in preventing wildfires. If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 44 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 28.67 hectares (ha).

There are two active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

WWF-043 was discovered on July 16, and is located approximately 14 kilometers north west of the Virginia Hills Road and Hope Creek Road intersection. It is 8.49 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters are back on the ground today with bucketing support from helicopters and heavy equipment to maintain a fire guard around this wildfire.

WWF-044 was discovered on July 16, and is located approximately six kilometers north west of Alexander No. 134A First Nation and highway 43. It is 0.60 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters and heavy equipment are working on containing this wildfire.

The cause of these wildfires remain under investigation.

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

WWF-044 at 7:30 pm on July 16, 2024.

Fire Ban banner

A fire ban remains in effect for 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 (3473).

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Stay up to date by visiting Alberta Fire Bans website or downloading the application onto your smartphone: Apple or Android.

For more information, please contact:

Allanah McLean on Behalf of Colby Lachance
Area Information Coordinator | Rocky Mountain House Forest Area
Alberta Forestry & Parks | AB Wildfire
403-418-5023
allanah.mclean@gov.ab.ca

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