WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE
The wildfire hazard remains low in the Whitecourt Forest Area. Today, the forecast is calling for a continuation of scattered rain and thundershowers across the Forest Area. Over the weekend, the weather is expected to become warm and dry; causing the wildfire hazard to rise.
WILDFIRE UPDATE 10:00 a.m., June 23, 2017
There are no active wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Since the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been 15 wildfires that have burned 10.01 hectares in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 553 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 2,185.81 hectares. For information visit the provincial wildfire status map.
HANDY TIPS WHEN HAVING A CAMPFIRE
- Select your site - use a designated stove, ring or fire pit if possible. Use sites clear of dry grass, bushes, leave branches and other flammable vegetation.
- Prepare your campfire - have the right tools including a shovel, axe and enough water to fully extinguish your campfire.
- Extinguish your campfire - soak it, stir it, soak it again. Using your bare hand, feel for heat coming from the ashes, it should be cool to the touch.
Leaving a campfire unattended will result in a fine of $287 under the Forest Prairie and Protection Act. If an individual does not properly extinguish a fire and it starts a wildfire they can be charged up to $100,000 or face imprisonment for up to two years. Read more here.
Learn more about the changes made to the Forest Prairie and Protection Act by visiting fppa.alberta.ca.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS FOR USING AN OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE
- Remove debris - keep your machine debris free by checking it before, during and after a ride.
- Strategic parking - park your OHV on bare mineral soil if possible, do not park it in areas of dead, dry grass.
- Exit and check - when possible, drive out on the path you drove in on. This will help you check for fires that may have started.
Read more here.
FIRE PERMITS
A free fire permit is required for all burning (except for campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. To get started call:
- Whitecourt patrolman at 780-778-1590 or
- Whitecourt Fire Centre at 780-778-7272
A fine of $287 now exists for failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer, read more here or visit fppa.alberta.ca.
THE ALBERTA WILDFIRE BLOG
New this week is a blog posted by Laura, a member of the Whitecourt Forest Area Rappel team!
"Can you feel the excitement? I can. We all love the winter. It's a great chance for wildfire members to rejuvenate and energize after a long summer on the fireline, but eventually we all find ourselves longing for those days in the woods..." read more
If you see smoke in the forest, call 310-FIRE (3473).
Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be on June 29, 2017.
Shannon Stambaugh
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Mobile: 780-706-5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
wildfire.alberta.ca albertafirebans.ca emergencyalert.alberta.ca