The wildfire danger across the Whitecourt Forest Area is high. This means that forest fuels are dry and fire risk is serious. Moderate to vigorous surface fire is expected, which may spread to treetops. Conditions may be challenging for fire suppression efforts.
WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE
WWF-044 was discovered on July 16, and is located east of Fox Creek. It is 1.10 ha in size and is classified as under control. This means the wildfire is completely contained and will be extinguished. This wildfire was caused by lightning.
WWF-043 was discovered on July 16, and is located approximately 14 kilometers northwest of the Virginia Hills Road and Hope Creek Road intersection. It is 8.49 ha in size and is classified as under control. The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.
WWF-046 was discovered on July 17, and is located south of Fox Creek. It is 0.12 ha in size and is classified as under control. This wildfire was caused by lightning.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
SMOKE CONDITIONS
Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility in the Whitecourt Forest Area. FireSmoke has an interactive forecast (pictured below), which provides hourly, daily average and daily maximum concentration of smoke particles from wildfires.
Learn more: Wildfire smoke, air quality and your health.
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.
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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE (as of 10:00 am July 22, 2024)
- Since January 1, there have been 925 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 488,513 hectares (ha).
- There are currently 161 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area. Of these wildfires, 52 are classified as out of control, 49 are classified as being held and 60 are under control.
- There are three carryover wildfires from the 2023 season.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
WILDFIRE DASHBOARD
The location and details of all active wildfires in Alberta is available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard. This is a great resource to get the most up-to-date information and important statistics like the number of wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, their sizes, locations and more.
You can also download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple and 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
RELATED INFORMATION
Websites:
- Alberta Wildfire
- Alberta Fire Bans
- FireSmart Alberta
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Air Quality Health Index
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation
Social media:
Apps: