Wildfire season starts March 1

Submitted by Caroline Charbonneau

Wildfire Information Officer | Edson Forest Area Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Alberta Wildfire

We would like to remind residents and industry that starting March 1, any current burning projects must be fully extinguished and all new burns will require a fire permit, with the exception of a campfire, within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

If you’re burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape and help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to reported smoke.

Fire permits are free and can be requested from your local forestry office at: (780) 723-8527.

Remember to revisit all winter burn piles before March 1. When checking your winter burns, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. If you see or smell smoke or feel heat with your bare hand, the fire is still burning. Douse any remaining hotspots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes.

Stay current on Alberta’s wildfire situation and download the Alberta Wildfire app. You’ll be able to see where wildfires are burning within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Get up-todate information on wildfire conditions, wildfire danger and much more. You can also access you forest area’s wildfire blog and get notified when new ones are published.

Last year in Alberta 62 per cent of wildfires were human caused and could have been prevented. Please do your part to prevent wildfires this season.

For more information about Alberta Wildfire, visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca.