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)
Crews (May 12, 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.
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 took advantage of recent favourable conditions to work to supress fire growth. Dozers will continue efforts building guards to prevent the wildfire from spreading further towards communities. Helicopter crews will continue their work to reinforce containment at the head of the fire. Crews will continue searching for hotspots on an ongoing basis. Structure protection work will continue as the situation changes.
The situations remains 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 continue through Sunday as an upper ridge builds over the province. Little or no precipitation is expected over the weekend.
WWF024 was detected on May 6 and is under control at 3 ha. Alberta Wildfire will continue working on the fire.
WWF020 and WWF021 were detected on May 4 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 (detected on May 3) 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
Deep Creek Complex (WCU001, WCU002, EWF035)
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.
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.
If you have any questions or concerns about thee above wildfires, please call the Wildfire Information Officer at 780-653-0153 and press 2 for information. For more updates, 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:
Prohibited:
Allowed:
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 25 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 435 wildfires burning a total of 448,116.74 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
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