Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update

Wildfire Danger

Snow is keeping the wildfire danger at low for the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Please be cautious in areas of dead, dry grass. Large patches create a significant wildfire hazard because they ignite easily, and support fast moving, erratic wildfires. Please use extra caution when working or using an off-highway vehicle in such areas.

WILDFIRE SITUATION | March 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

Whitecourt Forest Area

Currently, there are zero wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Since March 1, 2018 there have been zero wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

Province of Alberta

Since March 1, 2018, Alberta has recorded 13 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 1.80 hectares.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit the Alberta wildfire status map.

FIRE PERMITS ARE NOW REQUIRED

Free fire permits are required for any burning (except campfires) within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Fire permits allow for tracking of planned burning across the landscape. If you burn without a fire permit, or outside of the fire permit conditions, your fire is a wildfire. By getting a fire permit you are ensuring our firefighters are free to fight real wildfires, instead of responding to your planned burn.

To get started, call the Whitecourt Forest Area office: 780-778-7272

Please call at least one week before you need a fire permit. Have ready the legal land location, the planned start date, and a daytime phone number.

PREVENTING A SPRING WILDFIRE IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

With the ground still frozen and snow covered, now is the time to prevent spring wildfires. Check your winter burn sites now to ensure they are completely extinguished. Here are some tips on how to check a winter burn site:

Stir it. Start by spreading out the debris within the pile using a metal probe, or if necessary, heavy equipment. Dig down into the soil to make sure the fire hasn’t burnt down in the roots system. Feel for hotspots with your bare hand while looking for steam or smoke.
Soak it. Using water or snow, soak the area to extinguish the hotspots. When a hotspot is fully extinguished it will be cool to a bare hand's touch.
Stir it again. One last time, roll the debris over and again, using your bare hand, feel for heat while looking for steam.

A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat coming from the debris. Learn more about extinguishing brush pile and windrows.

FOX CREEK 2018 FIRESMART PROJECT
Feb. 2, 2018 - March 2018

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will be conducting FireSmart treatments 0.25 kilometers southeast of the town of Fox Creek, on the southside of Highway 43.

The project will including: thinning, pruning, mulching of dead, downed tress and shrubs, and debris removal. The overall goal is to help reduce the risk of wildfire to the town of Fox Creek. Learn more about the project.

Image: Map of the 2018 Fox Creek FireSmart project. More details.

Expect smoke from debris disposal to be seen from Highway 43 and nearby roads. Burning of the debris will not pose a hazard to the community and will be done in a way to minimize smoke.

For more information, contact Justin.Amyot@gov.ab.ca.

ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

To get wildfire information anytime, any place, download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple products. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Whitecourt Area Update