Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

The wildfire danger across the Whitecourt Forest Area is HIGH. This means that forest fuels are dry and fire risk is serious. If a wildfire were to start, moderate to vigorous surface fire is expected, which may spread to treetops. Conditions may be challenging for fire suppression efforts.

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 50 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 29 hectares (ha).

There are two active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

WWF044 was discovered on July 16, and is located east of Fox Creek. It is 1 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.

WWF043 was discovered on July 16, and is located approximately 14 kilometers northwest of the Virginia Hills Road and Hope Creek Road intersection. It is 8.5 ha in size and is classified as under control. The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.

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

Fire danger map - July 23 2024

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, there have been 940 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 535,591 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.

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, which provides hourly, daily average and daily maximum concentration of smoke particles from wildfires.

Learn more: Wildfire smoke, air quality and your health.

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.

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.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Are you and your family prepared when an emergency occurs? If you're not sure where to start you can information at Alberta.ca to get started today!

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.

Wildfire Dashboard