WHITECOURT FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
The fire danger rating for the Whitecourt Forest Area is HIGH.
As of 10:00 AM, Friday May 26, the fire ban and OHV restriction have been lifted in the Whitecourt Forest Area. A FIRE RESTRICTION is now in effect.
FIRE RESTRICTION DETAILS
A FIRE RESTRICTION is in effect across much of the Forest Protection Area, including the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Under this FIRE RESTRICTION:
Prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires in backcountry and random camping areas on public land
- Charcoal briquettes in backcountry and random camping areas on public land
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
- Wood campfires on private land and in designated campgrounds
- Charcoal briquettes on private land and in designated campgrounds
- 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
Please visit albertafirebans.ca to view a map of the impacted areas. This fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve across the province.
Warm weather and winds can quickly dry the fine fuels raising the danger levels. If you see smoke or flame in the forest call 310-FIRE(2473).
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)
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.
WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023, there have been 34 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 128,955 ha.
Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES
Eagle Complex WCX-001 (WWF-023, GPF-027)
Incoming crews from New Brunswick, Australia and the Canadian Military have arrived to lend support for WWF-023 (May 29, 2023)
WWF-023 detected on May 5, is listed as out of control at 73,479 ha. As temperatures rise, there is potential for increased smokes to be seen within the wildfire perimeter. These will be actioned by crews with bucketing helicopters in support.
Crews will continue identifying compromised trees and removing them to reduce hazards and extinguishing fires found to be burning from inside trees along the perimeter. A fire scan will be conducted to assess priority targets and crews will be placed accordingly. Equipment will be focused in areas with hot spots, along with heavy equipment to lend further assistance when required.
More than 140 firefighters and support personnel are allocated to this fire. Partners assisting Alberta on the complex include firefighters from Australia, the United States, New Brunswick, and soldiers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.
There are currently 12 helicopters and 7 heavy equipment groups assigned to the Eagle complex.
Evacuees have returned to Fox Creek and Little Smoky. Wildland Urban Interface Fire Structure Protection crews have left Fox Creek now now that the threat to the community from wildfires has been reduced. Sprinklers have been left in place as a precaution. The Fox Creek fire department has returned to normal duties but remains ready to assist should circumstances again warrant their participation.
GWF-027 was detected on May 13 and is out of control at 55,344 ha. Dozer guards are in progress. Crews will continue working on securing perimeter guard, focusing along the south. Three medium helicopters with buckets are working to keep priority areas cool until crews are able to work on extinguishing the fire.
Today, winds are blowing from a SW direction. Scattered thunderstorms and showers are anticipated over the next two days, with conditions expecting to change towards the end of the week.
OTHER AREA ACTIVE WILDFIRES
WWF015 is still Under Control, estimated size at 47 ha. There is one crew patrolling the wildfire.
WWF031 is Under Control. It was detected on May 22 with an estimated size of 0.03ha. Cause was lightning. One HAC crew is working the wildfire.
*Extinguished fires are not reported on this page. Refer to the Alberta Status Dashboard for information about these fires.
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.
All 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.
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.
Find wildfire forecasts, weather maps and information about how fire danger is monitored in Alberta please visit: alberta.ca/fire-weather-and-forecasts.aspx
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 for Further Information:
- 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
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