Whitecourt Area Update

ACTIVE WILDFIRES 

Provincial overview:

As of 10:30 p.m. today there were 51 active wildfires in the province; 15 of them were classified out of control. To date the province has responded to 523 wildfires that have consumed more than 1,035,000 hectares (ha) of land.

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

A helicopter lifts off the refueling site near Fox Creek on the way back to support firefighters working on the Eagle complex wildfires

WWF-023 detected on May 5, is listed as out of control at 73,479 ha. Firefighters saw no further growth towards Fox Creek today. 

Fire behaviour was relatively quiet across the Eagle complex today with crews having a successful day attacking and extinguishing hotspots inside the perimeter of the burned areas. 

There are more than 150 firefighters and support personnel allocated to this fire along with a structural protection unit and the Fox Creek Fire Department. Partners assisting Alberta on the complex include firefighters from Colorado, New Brunswick and soldiers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. 

There are currently 16 helicopters and 8 heavy equipment groups assigned to the Eagle complex. 

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.

Weather Today, The cool temperatures today helped quiet the wildfire though the forecast is pointing to warmer weather for the weekend. Residents opting to spend time in the forested areas this weekend are asked to continue to take care to limit the chance of any new wildfire starts. 

GWF-027 was detected on May 13 and is out of control at 55,344 ha. Two dozer groups and crews worked the southern edge of the wildfire today.

OTHER AREA ACTIVE WILDFIRES 

WWF015 is still Under Control, estimated size 47.00ha. There is one medium helicopter and 17 people (two firetack crews + 1 crew supervisor) working on the fire today (May 24).

WWF021 is still Under Control, estimated size 0.02ha. There is one medium helicopter and an 8-person helitack crew working on the fire today (May 24).

WWF031 is also still active. It was detected on May 22 and is currently Under Control, with an estimated size of 0.03ha. Cause was lightning.

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

FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION NOW IN EFFECT

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.

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