Whitecourt Area Update

Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating in grassy areas and to report smoke or fire in the forest by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING

The wildfire danger in the Whitecourt Forest Area remains LOW due to expected rainfall over the weekend and cool temperatures.

FOX CREEK HAZARD REDUCTION BURN

(Fox Creek - Hazard Reduction Burn)

Pending safe conditions, Alberta Wildfire staff will be conducting the following hazard reduction burn in the Fox Creek area for Thursday May 12th, 2022:

• Northwest/West of the Town of Fox Creek 
• Burn will start at 10:30am May 12th, 2022

In preparation for this burn, provincial firefighters have planned extensively to ensure public safety. Burning will only begin when conditions are within the established burning window. Firefighters will manage the burn until it's fully extinguished.

Hazard reduction burns will help remove any high-risk grassy areas near communities where the risk of wildfire may exist. Do your part to prevent unwanted wildfires by using extra caution in areas of dry grass.

FIRE PERMITS

From March 1 to October 31, a fire permit is required for any type of outdoor burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta with the exception of a campfire for cooking or warming.

Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal. Fire permits can still be requested by contacting your local Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development office by calling 310-0000 or visiting wildfire.alberta.ca/prevention/fire-permits

Fire permits ensure safe burning practices and allow staff to know where burning has been approved, ensuring aircraft and firefighters are free to fight wildfires.  

CAMPFIRE SAFETY

We urge everyone to use caution when working and recreating outdoors. Never leave your campfire unattended.

Soak it, stir it, soak it again.

• Let the fire burn down before you plan on putting it out. Spread the embers within the fire pit, add water and stir.

• Expose any material still burning. Add more water and stir again until you can no longer see smoke or steam. Do not bury your fire as the embers may continue to smoulder and can re-emerge as a wildfire.

• Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch.

• If your fire is out, you should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes.

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2022, there have been eight wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 2.25 ha. 

To view the wildfires on a map, check out the new wildfire dashboard. It provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the province, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device.

Available for Apple and Android.

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. 

Websites:

• Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Fire Bans
• FireSmart in Alberta
• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• Air Quality Health Index
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
• 511 Road Reports
• Emergency Preparation
  

Social Media:

Join the conversation on

• Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
• Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.