DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES!
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)
Hot, dry conditions continue in most areas of the province resulting in numerous wildfires. A provincial state of emergency has been declared. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information. https://www.alberta.ca/emergency.aspx.
WHITECOURT FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
Alberta Wildfire continues to assist municipalities in responding to a number of wildfires in the area.
As a result of the current weather conditions, the wildfire danger for the Whitecourt Forest Area has been amended and is listed as EXTREME.
Use caution when recreating or working in areas of dry grass as a wildfire will ignite easily and spread quickly. If you see smoke or flame in the forest call 310-FIRE(3473).
Crews at work (May 11, 2023)
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY INFORMATION
We urge everyone in this area to monitor Alberta Emergency Alert. The municipalities will instruct the public regarding evacuation alerts or orders. To learn more, visit: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx
You can also monitor your community/municipal Facebook pages for updates.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES
WWF023 was detected on May 5 and is burning out of control estimated at approximately 21,568 ha in size. The fire was first detected by the Eagle Tower Road, is 15.7 km NE of the town of Fox Creek. The wildfire remains 14.6km SE of Little Smoky. The head of the fire remains approximately 2 km east of highway 43.
Alberta Wildfire has helicopters, multiple dozers, a helicopter attack and a fire attack crew working to contain this fire. Helitac crew members from Oregon and Cypress Hills have arrived, along with a presuppression crew from Quebec have arrived to assist with firefighting efforts.
Crews continue to enforce containment lines to prevent the wildfire from spreading further towards the communities of Fox Creek and Little Smoky. Dozers will focus their efforts at the head of the fire by Giroux Lake. Helicopter crews will continue their work to reinforce containment at the head of the fire. Crews will also walk the perimeter, in search of these deep burning hotspots on an ongoing basis. Structure protection work will continue as the situation changes.
Precipitation has helped to limit growth in the fire size over the last couple of days. How ever, the situation is ever changing and conditions on the fireline will vary due to weather conditions. Wildfires burn very hot and will burn into the ground. These fires will re-ignite during moderate temperatures and windy conditions. In the coming days, fire behaviour is forecasted to increase. Increasing temperatures and drying conditions are anticipated to bring Thursday and continue through Sunday as an upper ridge builds over the province. Little or no precipitation is expected over the weekend.
WWF024 was detected yesterday afternoon and is under control at 3 ha. Alberta Wildfire will continue working on the fire.
WWF020 and WWF021 were detected yesterday morning and are each considered under control.
WWF017 was detected the evening of May 3 and is located 4.4 km Northeast of the Town of Fox Creek between Iosegun Lake and Raspberry Lake. This wildfire is considered under control at 4 ha in size.
WWF015 located near the Hamlet of Blue Ridge is under control at 47 ha. Alberta Wildfire has a crew, with water tankers, dozers and a skidder who will continue working until the fire is deemed extinguished. An aerial assessment of this fire today saw no detection of smoke and fire activity.
*Extinguished fires are not reported on this page. Refer to the Alberta Status Dashboard for information about these fires.
MUTUAL AID FIRES
WCU001 was detected on April 29 and is classified as out of control and has seen increased activity. The wildfire has been reassessed and is now 7,200 ha in size. AB Wildfire is assisting Parkland County with this wildfire.
For updates from Parkland County and evacuation information, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ParklandCountyAB. Residents in the affected areas can contact the Emergency Information Line at 1-780-968-8888.
WCU002 was detected on the evening of April 29 and is a mutual aid wildfire located on both sides of Highway 22, north of Highway 16. The wildfire is currently burning out of control. The wildfire was re-assessed and is now estimated to be 2,320 ha in size. Both Yellowhead County and Alberta Wildfire are actioning this wildfire.
For updates from Yellowhead County and evacuation information, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty Residents in the affected areas can contact the Yellowhead County Emergency Information Line at 1-833-334-4630.
For more updates on WCU001 and WCU002 please visit https://srd.web.alberta.ca/edson-area-update
If you have any questions or concerns about this wildfire (WCU002 or WCU001) please call the Wildfire Information Officer at 780-653-0153 and press 2 for information. For all other wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area, please call 780-706-5336.
EWF035 was first detected in the Edson Forest Protection Area. It has since been added to the Deep Creek Complex, alongside WCU001 and WCU002. For more updates on EWF035, please visit https://srd.web.alberta.ca/edson-area-update.
WIR001 was detected on May 1, continues to burn out of control and is estimated to be 100 ha in size. Alberta Wildfire staff are assisting with pump and hose equipment.
The above wildfires remain under investigation. To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here.
Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.
For road closure information, please visit: https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts
If you have smoke related health concerns, please contact AB 811 and click here for more information.
FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION NOW IN EFFECT
A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area due to extreme fire danger.
Under this fire ban:
- All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
- No new Fire Permits will be issued
Prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
- Backyard firepits
- BBQ charcoal briquettes
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets
- The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails
Allowed:
- 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
- Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes
- Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs
- Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Find wildfire forecasts, weather maps and information about how fire danger is monitored in Alberta please visit: alberta.ca/fire-weather-and-forecasts.aspx
Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023, there have been 24 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 21,677 ha.
Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 426 wildfires burning a total of 443,223.39 ha.
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.
780-778-7166 if this line is unavailable please call 780-778-7153
General Information Related to Alberta Wildfire or Fire Bans, Restrictions, or Advisories
1-866-FYI-FIRE
General/Other Forestry Related Questions
780-778-7153
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:
