Today's temperature will be 23 degrees Celsius, with 5km/hr wind. Thunderstorms will be developing in the later afternoon. The wildfire hazard for the area remains EXTREME.

Our forested areas are dry and under windy conditions a fire will spread very quickly. Use extreme caution when working or recreating in forested areas.

FIRE BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT

A FIRE BAN was issued May 25 for the Whitecourt WMA and most of northern Alberta. No outdoor fires are permitted at this time. See the table below for how this effects you:

All FIRE PERMITS are suspended or canceled. No new fire permits will be issued while the ban is in place.

What does this mean for industry members? A fire ban means no industrial burning (burn piles). Continue to abide by your Industrial Wildfire Control Plan. Suspend all non-essential flaring.

The Fire Bans is in place for your protection, it will help decrease the number of human-caused wildfires in the WWMA and across the province. This will allow firefighters to focus on existing or new wildfire. Remember: if you are found in violation of the ban, you could be considered liable for all firefighting costs associated with you fire, and fined up to $5000.

Wildfire Update May 27

Currently, there is one wildfire in the WWMA. WWF-027 is Under Control. It is 0.22 hectares in size and is located just over 14km northwest of Whitecourt along Hwy 32. No communities or structures are at risk.

Since April 1, 2015, there have been 28 wildfires in the WWMA which have burned 26.37 hectares.

There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta: 13 are out of control, 14 are being held, 35 are under control, and one has been turned over to the responsible party.

Provincial wildfires of note

o LWF-122 is considered out of control and is located approximately 40 km north of Cold Lake on the Canadian Weapons Range. There are 82 firefighters, 15 helicopters and two airtankers fighting this 17,483 hectare wildfire. Area update

o LWF-126 is considered out of control and is located approximately 22 km north of Conklin. There are 34 firefighters and six helicopters fighting this 1,400 hectare area.

o EWF-039 is considered out of control and is located approximately 44 km north west of Edson. There are 82 firefighters and five helicopters fighting this 637 hectare wildfire.Area Update

Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 723 wildfires that have burned a total of 29, 660.51 hectares.

Pony_Creek_Fire

Image: Pony Creek Wildfire (LWF-126) May 26

Fire Bans or Restrictions in the Area

If you live, work or recreate within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) you are effected by either a FIRE BAN or FIRE RESTRICTION. Learn more at Albertafirebans.ca.

What can you do to help?

We can not control the weather but we can control the start of a fire. Please do not do any burning at this time. We truly appreciate your cooperation. Abiding by the fire ban helps keep our firefighters free to fight new wildfire starts.For information on the fire ban visit www.albertafirebans.ca or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE.

If you are using an an Off-highway Vehicle during your day, periodically stop and check your vehicle for the build up of grass, branches or debris. This material can catch fire and drop from your vehicle as you drive; acting like a drip-torch it can start a wildfire. Learn more here.

Questions? contact me. Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update May 28th.

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Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer

Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273
mobile: 780.706.5336

Whitecourt Area Update

What Is Prohibited During the Fire Ban?

FIRE BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT

Wildfire Update May 27

Fire Bans or Restrictions in the Area

What can you do to help?

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