Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

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.

SMOKE RELATED HEALTH CONCERNS

Please be advised that smoke from multiple wildfires from British Columbia is drifting into our area. To learn more about smoke produced by wildfires, visit firesmoke.ca. For smoke related health concerns, please visit Alberta Health Services, click here.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

For any information regarding the status of wildfires in British Columbia please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-situation

(An airtanker dropping retardant over WWF115 this past weekend).

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 crew and one helicopter allocated to the wildfire. The cause of the fire was determined to be lightning.

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. The cause of this wildfire was determined to be lightning.

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 wildfire crew allocated to the wildfire.

WWF113 is classified as UNDER CONTROL 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. The cause of this wildfire was determined to be lightning.

WWF114 is currently classified as UNDER CONTROL and was detected August 13th, 2021. The wildfire is located approximately nine kilometers south west of Fort Assiniboine and is 0.02 hectares in size. There is one wildfire personnel monitoring the wildfire.

WWF115 is currently classified as UNDER CONTROL and was detected August 13th, 2021. The wildfire is located approximately nine kilometers north of Whitecourt and is 0.10 hectares in size.

There are no threats to any communities at this time.

fire advisory wide

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 116 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area, burning approximately 51.87 hectares. There were three previously reported wildfires that began before March 1, 2021, burning a total of 0.23 hectares. Six wildfires are under control, and 110 wildfires have been extinguished.

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 1,114 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, burning a total of 52,922 hectares.

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

Farming

WILDFIRE PREVENTION

A friendly reminder that you can do your part in preventing wildfires by being mindful of heavy-duty machinery. Ensure that you maintain your equipment by having it serviced and repaired when necessary. Always make sure to carry water and fire fighting equipment. As we head into higher temperatures and dry conditions be very aware of your surroundings and watch for sparks.

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