Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update - August 12, 2021

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA

The wildfire danger in the Whitecourt Forest Area is VERY HIGH. 

Whitecourt Forest Area Update

If you see smoke or flame in the forest call 310-FIRE (3473).

For any fire advisories, restrictions, or bans please click on https://www.albertafirebans.ca/ for more information specific to your area.

If you require a free fire permit call 780-778-7166.

(A Firetack crew working on WWF111)

WHITECOURT WILDFIRE UPDATE 

WWF108 is classified as UNDER CONTROL and was detected August 6, 2021. The wildfire is located  approximately 19 km north of Whitecourt and is currently 0.10 hectares in size. There is one wildfire personnel allocated to monitor the wildfire. The cause of the fire was determined to be lightning. 

WWF109 is classified as UNDER CONTROL and was detected August 9, 2021. The wildfire is located approximately 23 km south west of Fox Creek and is currently 0.01 hectares in size. There is one wildfire personnel allocated to monitor the wildfire.

WWF110 is classified as UNDER CONTROL and was detected August 10, 2021. The wildfire is located approximately 59 kilometers south west of Fox Creek and is currently 0.01 hectares in size. There is one wildfire personnel monitoring the wildfire. 

WWF111 is classified as UNDER CONTROL and was detected August 10, 2021. The wildfire is located approximately 15 kilometers south west of Fox Creek and is currently 1.5 hectares in size. There is currently one wildfire crew, one helicopter, and one water truck allocated to the fire. 

WWF112 is classified as UNDER CONTROL and was detected August 11, 2021. The wildfire is located approximately two kilometers north east of Goose Lake and is two kilometers from Highway 658. The fire is currently 0.90 hectares in size. There is one crew allocated to the wildfire. 

WILDFIRES OF NOTE

WWF113 is classified as BEING HELD and was detected August 12th, 2021. The wildfire is located approximately 32 kilometers west of Fox Creek. The fire is currently 0.03 hectares in size. There is one wildfire crew and one helicopter allocated to the fire.

There are no threats to any communities at this time. 

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT 

A fire advisory is in effect for the Whitecourt Forest Area, due to increased fire danger.

Under this advisory:

• All permits are suspended, except for burn barrels, incinerators and any burning deemed essential by a forest officer
• No new permits will be issued until conditions change

Prohibited:

• Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited.

Allowed:

• Safe wood campfires *
• Backyard fire pits
• Portable propane fire pits
• Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
• Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:

• Be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one meter around the fire;
• Have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
• Have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and
• Municipalities, Parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE 

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 110 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area, burning approximately 51.63 hectares. There were three previously reported wildfires that began before March 1, 2021, burning a total of 0.23 hectares. One wildfire is being held, five wildfires are under control and 107 wildfires have been extinguished. 

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 1,081 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, burning a total of 52,358 hectares. 

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca

WILDFIRE PREVENTION 

You can reduce the risk of your off-highway vehicle causing a wildfire by following these simple steps:

• Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
• After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
• Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
• Wash your quad, trike or bike and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.
• Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
• Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it’s out.

DOWNLOAD THE NEW ALBERTA WILDFIRE APP

Download the NEW Alberta Wildfire App to access provincial wildfire status maps and updates on your mobile device.

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WEATHER 

Mainly sunny with a high of 24 today. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 near noon.

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
  

Social Media:

• Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
• Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.