Resources

OHVs and Wildfires

Stay safe while enjoying your time off! Debris falling from off-highway vehicles have been known to cause wildfires.

Exhaust systems heat up to temperatures in excess of 200°C. At these temperatures, built up materials and debris on your machine (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite. The smouldering debris can drop to the ground as you are riding, starting a wildfire.

You can reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire by following these simple steps.

– Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.

– After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.

– Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.

– Wash your OHV and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.

– Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.

– Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.

For more information: https://www.alberta.ca/off-highway-vehicle-safety.aspx….

Please Be Careful

Whenever possible use an existing campfire facility such as rings and pits for your campfire. These facilities are available in many campgrounds and recreation area and are designed to help contain a fire and prevent it from spreading. If no campfire facilities are available, use sites that are clear of dry grass, bushes, leaves, branches, tree trunks, peat moss, and overhanging branches. If the site has already been used for a campfire, use the same site. 

The Forest and Prairie Protection Act include fines for abandoning campfires as well as for using fireworks and exploding targets in forested areas learn more here.

Albertans living or working in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit by contacting your local forestry office or using the new, convenient online Fire Permit Portal. Anyone living outside the Forest Protection Area can contact their municipality for information about local fire permit requirements.

County West / Grovedale – (780) 814-1648
Spirit River – (780) 814-1983
Valleyview – (780) 524-6576

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Wildfire Information At Your Fingertips

Two new web applications will make it easier for Albertans to access important wildfire information.

A wildfire dashboard and fire permit portal join the Alberta Wildfire app as key technologies that put critical wildfire management and prevention information directly into the hands of Albertans.

Wildfire dashboard

The new wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the province, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

The dashboard builds on the former wildfire status map by displaying the most frequently accessed information in one convenient location.

Fire permit portal

Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.

Permits are required for burning activities other than campfires during wildfire season and help focus firefighting resources where they are needed most. Fire permits help ensure that when smoke or fire is reported, wildfire officials can determine whether this is a wildfire or a permitted burn.

Each permit is unique and outlines the restrictions and conditions for your burn, including location, wind speed, time and date of burn and any suppression tools required. Permits may be suspended or cancelled in the event of a fire advisory, restriction or ban.

Fire permits can still be requested over the phone by calling your local forest area office.

Anyone living outside of the Forest Protection Area should contact their local municipality for more information about fire permits in their area.

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Monitor Current Fire Bans, Wildfire Status, Smoke Conditions & Weather Alerts

Fire season in Alberta begins March 1st, each year. Permits are required for all burning except campfires in the Forest Protection Area.

To help protect your home from wildfire, FireSmart it:

  • remove flammable items that are within 5 feet of your property
  • keep roof and gutters free from debris
  • prune trees and shrubs regularly
  • conduct a FireSmart home assessment

Talk to your neighbors about what you can do to FireSmart your community.
Learn more about how you can FireSmart your property, your community and your industry.

Resources:

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EMERGENCIES CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME

Make a plan. Create a kit. Stay informed.

There are various ways to stay informed of emergencies in the Central Peace and around Alberta.

These include:

  1. Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued to provide you with critical information about an immediate emergency, where it is occurring, and what actions you nee to take. Alerts are distributed in various ways, including: radio, television, social media, RSS feed, and the Alberta Emergency Alert App. Download the app to stay informed through your mobile device.
  2. Wireless alerting is another tool to receive emergency alerts. Wireless public alerts are issued to cell phones within a defined geographic area. These alerts are only issued for threat-to-life situations. You can learn more at alertready.ca, and check if your phone is compatible to receive wireless alerts.  Sign-up is not required as all cell-phones are automatically registered.
  3. Municipal sources: Be careful of the authenticity of some of the information that is being shared. It is best to use trusted municipal sources for local information