Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA

The wildfire danger in the Whitecourt Forest Area is MODERATE.

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.

WHITECOURT WILDFIRE UPDATE

WWF103 was detected July 29th, 2021. The wildfire is classified as UNDER CONTROL and is 0.56 hectares in size. The fire is located approximately 41 kilometers west of Fox Creek. There is one wildfire personnel monitoring the fire. The cause of this wildfire was determined to be lightning.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 103 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area, burning approximately 49.07 hectares. There were three previously reported wildfires that began before March 1, 2021, burning a total of 0.23 hectares. One wildfire is under control and 105 wildfires have been extinguished.

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 1010 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, burning a total of 50,147 hectares.

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

Fire Advisory banner

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

A fire advisory is in effect for the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Under this advisory:

Current fire permits remain valid;
New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.

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 metre 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.

Fireworks

WILDFIRE PREVENTION

Since 2017, the use of fireworks within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) has been prohibited without written permission from a Forest Officer.

Written permission is required year-round. Those seeking written permission to shoot, discharge, detonate or ignite fireworks within the FPA may apply for written permission from a Forest Officer at your local forest area office or by calling 780-778-7166.

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