Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA

The wildfire danger in the Whitecourt Forest Area is LOW.

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.

WILDFIRES OF NOTE

WWF079 was detected July 9th, 2021 is classified as under control. It is located approximately 33 kilometers south east of Fox Creek and is approximately 3.10 hectares in size. The wildfire was caused by lightning. There is one wildfire crew allocated to the fire and will work to extinguish any hotspots.

*There are no threats to any communities at this time.*

Fire danger map - July 19 2021 PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 89 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area, burning approximately 47.58 hectares. There were three previously reported wildfires that began before March 1, 2021, burning a total of 0.23 hectares. Two wildfires are under control and 90 wildfires have been extinguished.

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 916 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, burning a total of 47,939 hectares.

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

SMOKE RELATED HEALTH CONCERNS

Wildfire smoke drifting from other provinces will be affecting residents in our forest area. The smoke over our area is not produced by any current wildfires Whitecourt. For those of you wondering what location the smoke is coming from, visit FireSmoke.ca. The service can produce forecasts of hourly ground-level concentrations of smoke from wildfires up to 48 hours in advance.

If you have smoke related health concerns, please contact Alberta 811 or visit their website by clicking here.

Fire Restriction

FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A FIRE RESTRICTION is now in place for the Whitecourt Forest Area due to hot and dry conditions, which will increase the fire danger.

Under this restriction:

Existing fire permits are suspended.
All outdoor fires presently burning under permit must be extinguished, unless approved to continue by a Forest Officer.
Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds and backyard fire pits are allowed.

Prohibited:

Wood campfires on public land
Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

Wood campfires on private land
Wood campfires within provincial campgrounds in a designated campfire ring
Backyard fire pits on private land
Charcoal briquette barbeques
Propane or natural gas fueled appliances
Indoor wood fires
Open flame oil devices

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Remember to check the hot spots on your off-highway vehicle (ohv) and remove debris before and after use.

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.

If you have any questions, please call 780-778-7166 or 1-866-FYI-FIRE.

Please see https://www.albertafirebans.ca/ for more information specific to your location.

image-png-Jul-15-2021-05-43-10-13-PM

pass creek

(One of our lookout observers climbing a tower in the Whitecourt Forest Area)

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Our lookout observers will spend the whole summer in isolation, vigilantly looking for any smokes that come into their line of view. These smokes could be potential wildfires and the observers are a great detection method to spot wildfires.

A lookout observer will work long hours, spending 11 hours a day at times of high hazard in the tower. They must be self-sufficient, focused, and be able to handle isolation for months at a time. Most of our observers are mechanically inclined and can fix small engines and mechanical tools they will have to use during their summer at the tower.

We are so thankful to have them!

WildfireApp_v1_1200x628