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).
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.
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 or to visit alberta.ca/emergency.aspx.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES - new information
Crews in action on WWF023 (May 17, 2023)
Eagle Complex (WWF023, WWF028, GWF027)
All new information will be bolded.
WWF023 was detected on May 5, is burning out of control at approximately 46,915 ha in size. The wildfire is approximately 4.5 km north of the town of Fox Creek and 10.6 km southeast of Little Smoky, as of May 16. Assessment of fire size is projected to take place today, but is subject to visibility conditions.
Resources allocated to this fire include 52 firefighters, a structural protection unit, the Fox Creek Fire Department. Equipment includes 4 intermediate helicopters with 1 assessor, 3 medium helicopters with buckets and 2 heavy helicopters, as well as dozer heavy equipment groups. The CH-47 Chinook is one of the most capable firefighting helicopters available today. Partners from other jurisdictions include Helitack crews members from Oregon and Cypress Hills, 50 military personnel, as well as a presuppression crew from Quebec to assist with firefighting efforts.
Established Fox Creek structural protection includes protection for all critical infrastructure, containment guards established by dozers groups with support from industry, along with wet sprinklers as further assistance for the containment guards, and ground retardant has been applied around the community perimeter, with support from industry. Additionally, three structural groups from municipalities in the Alberta Wildland Urban Interface Fire Structure Protection Program have been working together on structural protection for the community.
Crews will continue searching for hotspots on an ongoing basis.
Wildfires burn very hot and will burn into the ground. The situation remains ever-changing and conditions on the fire line will continue to vary due to forecasted weather. Limited visibility yesterday prevented personnel from obtaining an accurate assessment or size estimate.
High temperatures and dry conditions are anticipated to continue this week. Little or no precipitation is expected this week. Grasses and other fuels remain dry. Winds are forecasted to blow in a NW direction today.
To view a public map of WWF023, click here.
WWF029 was detected this afternoon and is classified being held at approximately 0.26 ha. Alberta Wildfire has two ground crews and two helicopters on site.
WWF028 was detected on May 13 and is currently out of control at 24.10 ha in size. Air tankers and two crews are working on this fire.
WWF024 was detected on May 6 and is under control at 3 ha. Alberta Wildfire will continue working to extinguish 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.
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 on May 12th 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.
A Skimmer and Chinook helicopter (May 17, 2023)
AREA ADJACENT WILDFIRES
Deep Creek Complex (WCU001, WCU002, EWF035)
EWF035, WCU001 & WCU002 are part of the Deep Creek Complex. For wildfire updates on this group of wildfires, please visit https://srd.web.alberta.ca/edson-area-update.
- 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.
- 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.
Grizzly Complex (SWF057, SWF063, SWF064)
For wildfire updates on this group of wildfires, please visit https://srd.web.alberta.ca/slave-lake-area-update.
The above wildfires remain under investigation. To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here.
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.
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 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 29 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 47,047 ha.
Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.
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:
