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 continuing above average temperatures and windy conditions, the wildfire danger for the Whitecourt Forest Area has been amended and is now 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).
Smoke as seen from Raspberry Lake (May 6, 2023)
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY INFORMATION
EVACUATION ORDER
The following Alberta Emergency Alert has been issued by Alberta Emergency Management Agency:
Area: Fox Creek and immediate area.
Description: There is a wildfire which has resulted in the need of an Evacuation Order. Immediately evacuate.
Instructions: Evacuate to Whitecourt on Highway 43. Reception Centre is located at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre 58 Sunset Blvd. Whitecourt, Alberta. Please register there. For those with no transportation or require busing, go to the Fox Creek Community Hall Parking Lot. Info will be on Municipal Facebook Pages, and websites, or call 780-622-4412 for assistance.
EVACUATION ORDER
The following Alberta Emergency Alert has been issued by Alberta Emergency Management Agency:
Area: This alert is in effect for Fox Creek to Little Smoky and all areas immediately surrounding these communities.
Description: There is a wildfire near Fox Creek that is forcing the evacuation of the entire community and surround areas. Evacuate immediately.
Instruction: Everyone near Fox Creek to Little Smoky and all areas immediately surrounding the area must evacuate to Whitecourt on Highway 43. A reception Centre is located at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre 58 Sunset Blvd. Whitecourt, Alberta. Please register there. For those with no transportation or require busing go to the Fox Creek Community Hall Parking Lot. Info will be on Municipal Facebook Pages, and websites such as for MD of Greenview https://mdgreenview.ab.ca/, or call 780-622-4412 for assistance.
EVACUATION ORDER
The following Alberta Emergency Alert has been issued by Alberta Emergency Management Agency:
Area: Township road 730 to 710, from Range Road 245 to Highway 49.
Description: Evacuation Order due to wildfire. Everyone in the area of Township 730 to 710, and Range Road 245 to Highway 49 must evacuate immediately.
Instruction: Everyone must immediately evacuate to Memorial Hall, 4808 50th Street, Valleyview Alberta. If you need assistance evacuating, call 780-524-3345. Bring all important documents, medications, food, water, pets, and important supplies to be away from your home for up to three days.
Additional information: http://www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert
ACTIVE WILDFIRES
WWF023 was detected on May 5 and is burning out of control at approximately 10,000 ha in size. The fire first detected by the Eagle Tower Road, is 15.7 km NE of the town of Fox Creek and is currently heading NW. Alberta Wildfire has firefighters and helicopters on scene fighting the fire. Be advised that as of 11:30 a.m., this fire is approximately 5-6 hours from the community of Little Smoky.
Due to the extreme fire behavior and safety for our crews, we have established ground resources to work in areas of lesser wildfire behavior to create a perimeter around the fire.
Alberta Wildfire and the municipality of Fox Creek are working together to establish areas of impact for the community. Structure protection is in the process of being established and other areas will be examined as the situation continues.
WWF020 and WWF021 were detected yesterday morning and are each considered under control. A four person crew and helicopter are working at both sites to extinguish flames.
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 now under control at 47 ha.
MUTUAL AID FIRES
WCU001 was detected on April 29 and is classified as out of control and has seen increased activity overnight. The wildfire has been reassessed and is now 8586 ha in size. Yesterday/last night the wildfire did cross west over the Pembina River. The fire spread to the north where it did cross highway 16. The wildfire continued to spread parallel with highway 16 as it moved further west where the wildfire spread just north of Wildwood and reached Chip Lake. AB Wildfire is assisting Parkland County with this wildfire. This wildfire is moving fast and spreading quickly.
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.
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. The fire is burning in a mixture of grass, shrub, trees and marsh. 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 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.
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.
We urge everyone in this area to monitor Alberta Emergency Alert. There are evacuation orders and alerts in effect at this time. The municipalities will instruct the public regarding evacuation alerts or orders. To learn more, visit: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx
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 23 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 10,106 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 382 wildfires burning a total of 179,610 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
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