Whitecourt Area Update

Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update - September 7, 2017

Posted on Thu, Sep 07, 2017

GFX-HSB-WildfireDangerUpdate-VeryHigh.jpg

WILDFIRE HAZARD UPDATE

Hot, dry, windy conditions are mixing to increase the wildfire hazard to very high for the Whitecourt Forest Area. Although the mornings are cool and damp by the afternoon, fine materials, like grasses and shrubs, are dry. A wildfire that starts in grass or slash can develop into a high-intensity wildfire very easily today. 

See today's wildfire hazard map here.


SMOKE IN THE AIR

Smoke continues to drift into the area from wildfires burning in British Columbia and the United States. To see the latest smoke forecast, go to www.firesmoke.ca

If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of smoke from a wildfire, visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24-hour health advice. 


DO YOUR PART TO PREVENT WILDFIRES

Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it is completely extinguished before you leave it by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. If you are riding an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV), before after and during your ride, check the hotspots and remove the build-up of mud, grass and branches.

campfire_firebans.jpg

PREV_OHV_HotSpots_Ad_7.75x5_CMYK.jpg


ARE YOU HUNTING THIS FALL?

New regulations have strengthened wildfire protection. Take the time to understand these amendments before having a campfire this hunting season.

Quick tips: 

  • Never leave a fire unattended - a violation ticket of $287 can be issued.
  • Completely extinguish the campfire before you leave it. Do this by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again. You will know it's out when the ashes are cool to the touch and there is no steam or smoke. Learn more.

 PREV_FPPA_Hunters_Facebook.jpg
Information on hunting in Alberta can be found at albertaregulations.ca. If you are new to hunting, read more here. 


WILDFIRE SITUATION - September 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

Whitecourt Forest Area

There are no wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest AreaSince the start of the 2017 wildfire season, there have been 26 wildfires that have burned 11.41 hectares in the Forest Area.

Province of Alberta

There are currently 18 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 1,148 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 26,696.94 hectares. For information visit the provincial wildfire status map.


FIRE PERMITS

Until the end of the wildfire season, 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

violation ticket of $287 can be issued for the failure to produce a fire permit when requested by a forest officer. For more information, visit fppa.alberta.ca.


ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED IT

To get daily wildfire updates anytime, any place, download the free Alberta Wildfire mobile app for Android or Apple products.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or follow our blog. 

 
facebook.jpg     twitter.jpg     instagram.jpg   FollowOurBlog_v1.jpg   
 
 
 

To report a wildfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, call 310-FIRE (3473).

Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be at 11:00 a.m. on September 8, 2017.

 
Shannon Stambaugh
Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Forest Area
Phone: 780.706.5336
Email: shannon.stambaugh@gov.ab.ca
 
 
 
  wildfire.alberta.ca                      albertafirebans.ca                emergencyalert.alberta.ca