Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating in forested or grassy areas and to report smoke or fire in the forest by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Please extinguish your campfire and never leave it unattended. Soak your campfire, stir it and soak it again until the ashes are cool to the touch.
WHITECOURT FOREST AREA FIRE DANGER RATING
The wildfire danger in the Whitecourt Forest Area remains LOW.
WHITECOURT FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022, there have been 89 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 143 hectares (ha).
WWF085 was detected October 19, 2022 and is classified as under control. The wildfire is located 13.6 km southeast of the Town of Whitecourt and is 10.6 ha in size.
To view wildfires active across Alberta click here.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 1254 wildfires burning a total of 153,124 ha.
END OF WILDFIRE SEASON
While wildfire season officially ends October 31 and a fire permit is no longer required for burning inside the Forest Protection Area, it’s important to keep safe winter burning practices top of mind.
Refrain from burning when an inversion is in place or is forecasted.
Consult your local municipality on how to safely undertake larger winter burning projects near communities or roads.
Actively manage burn projects to reduce total burning time.
Burn debris in stages so that you can adapt to changing weather conditions and reduce smoke.
Don’t burn until you have good snow cover in the area (more than 15 cm).
During the 2022 wildfire season, Alberta Wildfire responded to 1,254 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. These wildfires burned 153,124 hectares in area. That’s near the five-year average for total number of wildfires 1,111, but below the average area burned, which is 190,579 hectares. Alberta experienced a wet spring this year which reduced the wildfire risk significantly at a time when large wildfires are likely to occur. Extended periods of hot, dry conditions through the summer months and into the fall kept the wildfire danger up towards the end of the season. Provincially, we experienced warmer than seasonal temperatures at the end of October which means there is still a risk for wildfires. Last year 67 per cent of wildfires were human-caused and these are completely preventable.
RECRUITMENT
We’re already recruiting for the 2023 wildfire season! If you are interested in demanding but rewarding seasonal work, joining our team as a wildfire crew member may be for you. Check out the requirements here: wildfire.alberta.ca/recruitment
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
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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