Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update June 3, 2023

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The fire danger rating for the Whitecourt Forest Area is HIGH.

FIRE RESTRICTION DETAILS

As of 10:00 AM, Friday May 26, the fire ban and OHV restriction have been lifted in the Whitecourt Forest Area. A FIRE RESTRICTION is in effect across the Whitecourt Forest Area.

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Under this FIRE RESTRICTION:

Prohibited:

All outdoor wood fires in backcountry and random camping areas on public land
Charcoal briquettes in backcountry and random camping areas on public land
The use of fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

Wood campfires on private land and in designated campgrounds
Charcoal briquettes on private land and in designated campgrounds
Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards

This fact sheet has further information on the fire restriction.

Please visit albertafirebans.ca to view a map of the impacted areas. This fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve across the province.

2022 OHV Can cause wildfires Dirt Bike

Exhaust systems heat up to temperatures in excess of 200°C. At these temperatures, built up materials and debris on your machine (such as grass, muskeg, moss) can heat up, smoulder and ignite. Smouldering debris can drop to the ground as you are riding, starting a wildfire.

For more information, see Off-highway vehicles: Wildfire prevention tips

Warm weather and winds can quickly dry the fine fuels raising the danger levels. If you see smoke or flame in the forest, call 310-FIRE(2473).

SAFETY MESSAGES

Stay away from active wildfire areas | For your safety and to ensure firefighters can do their job safely, please stay away from active wildfire areas. Your cooperation is essential.

Danger trees | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from falling trees or branches, especially if windy, deep ash pits and burning peat.

Reporting wildfires | Firefighters continue to work on out of control wildfires and fire lookouts are watching for smoke. While we always appreciate people calling in to report wildfires, the large volume of calls we are currently receiving is diverting our resources away from fighting wildfires. As always, please still call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported, but assume that large columns of smoke and burned over areas have already been detected and reported.

The interior of active wildfires can flare up as previously unburnt vegetation catches fire. This is a normal occurrence. Firefighters are monitoring these active fires and working to put out hot spots. There is no need to report flame or smoke in these areas.

Smoke | Lingering smoke may still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and poor air quality. Please use extra caution when driving in smoky conditions, and take necessary precautions if you have smoke-related health concerns.

Drones | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023, there have been 36 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 119,392 ha.

Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.

ACTIVE WILDFIRES

Eagle Complex WCX-001 (WWF-023, GPF-027)

Fire perimeter sizes on both WWF023 and GPW027 have been updated based on a more detailed map.

More than 160 firefighters and support personnel are allocated to this fire. Partners assisting Alberta on the complex include firefighters and an incident management team from Australia and New Zealand, B.C. and the Canadian military.

There are currently 12 helicopters, 6 heavy equipment groups, assigned to the Eagle complex. Water trucks and skidders are providing additional support.

Crew activities include the extending and consolidating the fire containment lines with the installation of more dozer guards around GWF-027 and WWF-023. This is being completed by teams of heavy machinery including dozers, track hoes, bunchers and skidders. Crews are also continuing to work along the fire line on both fires (GWF-027 and WWF-023) to extinguish active fire.

Weather indicates a chance of rain and a slight risk of thundershowers Saturday, with rain and risk of thundershowers later Sunday through early Monday. A SE wind @ 15-20kms/hr with stronger gusts up to 35km/hr rising temperatures & low humidity is expected Saturday with winds shifting to a gusty NW direction Sunday afternoon. Wind direction and a higher temperature has led to increased fire activity. Further preparations for this change in conditions includes the placement of dozer guards around the perimeter of the fire.

While areas of the environment have not been affected or are beginning to recover, environmental risks to safety include damaged infrastructure, displaced wildlife and the possibility of the wildfire returning.

To see the latest map of the wildfires in the Eagle Complex, click here.

Smoke arising out within the WWF023. (June 3, 2023)

WWF-023 detected on May 5, is listed as out of control at 66,503 ha.

Crews will continue to suppress small fires across the southern end of the fire and any flare ups due to gusty winds. Dozer groups will strengthen and work to create new guards, alongside firefighters from Australia, and strengthen existing containment lines. Army personnel will continue to patrol along the fire perimeter.

Re-entry Information for Fox Creek Residents

We ask that residents stay out of areas that have been burned by the wildfires in the area. Wildfires will make the root systems of trees weak, and any amount of wind will affect the trees in the area. Falling trees will be an ongoing hazard and for residents’ safety, you should avoid the burned-out areas.

Firefighters will be actively working on and around properties extinguishing hotspots, please give them the space they need to work.

There will be structure protection equipment on homes and infrastructure in the area. We ask that you do not move the equipment as it is in place to protect buildings on your property. Structure protection will remain in place until the wildfire threat has decreased.

GWF-027 was detected on May 13 and is out of control at 52,757 ha.

The fire saw minimal fire growth overnight, crews will utilise aircraft to reduce fire growth until heavy equipment can be mobilized to place a cat guard. A small number of new hot spots were identified today along various perimeters, ground crews continue to focus on these priority areas utilising helicopter water support.

Dozer guards are continuing to be built on the western perimeter of the fire, further potential guard lines will be placed around priority areas supported by ground crews to re-enforce fire containment.

Ground crews are assisting in extinguishing hot spots along the fire perimeter.

OTHER WHITECOURT FOREST AREA ACTIVE WILDFIRES

WWF015 is still Under Control, estimated size at 47 ha. Crew are actively monitoring.

WWF031 is Under Control. It was detected on May 22 with an estimated size of 0.03 ha. Cause was lightning. Crews are on scene working to extinguish the wildfire.

WWF036 was detected on May 30 and is listed as under control at 0.02 ha. Cause was lightning. Crews are on scene working to extinguish the wildfire.

All wildfires in Alberta are investigated and these wildfires remain under investigation. To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here.

*Extinguished fires are not reported on this page. Refer to the Alberta Status Dashboard for information about these fires.

AREA ADJACENT WILDFIRES

Deep Creek Complex

EWF035, WCU001 & WCU002 are part of the Deep Creek Complex. For wildfire updates on this group of wildfires, please visit alberta.ca/edson-area-update.

Grizzly Complex (SWF057, SWF063, SWF064)

For wildfire updates on this group of wildfires, please visit alberta.ca/slave-lake-area-update.

Volunteer Information

Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province, please contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Albertans are always asked to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors:

Before you burn it, get your fire permit. Fire permits in Alberta.
Clear debris from hot spots on your off-highway vehicle.
Ensure your campfire is out - soak it, stir it, soak it again.
Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.

FIRESMART BEGINS AT HOME

Protecting your home starts with simple actions.

There are many factors that may impact your property's risk to wildfire. FireSmart Canada has great videos that you can view on various topics. You can check out these videos by clicking here and viewing their videos on YouTube.

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Whitecourt Area Update