Page 14 - November 9 2020
P. 14
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
Includes process colour pages 1,4,5,7,10,11,14,15,18,20,21,24
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 14 MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020 MONDAY JUNE 29, 2020 PAGE 15
Wildland firefighters in
Edson Forest Area responded
to 58 wildfires this season
Caroline Charbonneau, Area Wildfire Information Officer, Edson Forest
Area
Wildfire season ended in Alberta on October 31. Since March 1, 2020,
Alberta has recorded 703 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of
Alberta that have burned a total of 3,265 hectares.
Wildland firefighters in the Edson Forest Area responded to 58 wildfires
that burned 6 hectares during the past wildfire season. In 2019, they
responded to 67 wildfires that burnt 266 hectares. The five-year average
in our area for number of wildfires is 100 and burn on average of 3,000
hectares.
Of the 58 wildfires in our area this season, six of these wildfires were
caused by lighting and 52 were human-caused. The percentage of human-
caused wildfires in the EFA this year was 90%.
In the Edson Forest Area, the largest wildfire occurred in October
northwest of Hinton burning 2.90 hectares. Alberta Wildfire investigators
found the cause to be undetermined.
Provincially last year, 71 per cent of wildfires were human-caused. Over
80 per cent of the wildfires this season were determined to be human-
caused. An abandoned campfire started the largest wildfire this year, the
Devil's Head wildfire in the Calgary Forest Area, which burned almost 75
per cent of the total area burned provincially. Event Reminder
Albertans canhelp prevent wildfires by ensuring campfires are
completely extinguished before leaving them. Soak the ashes, stir them,
then soak them again. May 9: For mental health week, join
Overall, the wildfire season in Alberta was quieter than past seasons due the Town of Edson for Darkness to
to substantial rainfall in June and cooler temperatures throughout the Light – Mental Health Awareness. Join
summer months for most of the province. Although Alberta experienced the community and place luminaries or
drier conditions in the fall in the southern parts of the province, the a simple candle outside your home to
number of wildfires and hectares burned are much lower than the five- u n i t e f o r a l i g h t a t d a w n
year average. (approximately 5:10 am).
Several of our wildfires this year were caused by abandoned campfires.
Ensure you fully extinguish all campfires and other burning piles before
you leave.
The periods of decreased wildfire danger allowed for firefighters to work
on FireSmart projects and allowed Alberta to send 61 firefighters to help
battle wildfires in Quebec. In late September, the United States requested
assistance. Alberta was eager to help, sending44 firefighters on
deploymentto Oregon. They were grateful to be able to assist fellow
firefighters who lent a hand here in Alberta in past seasons.
A number of fire advisories, restriction and bans covered the province
throughout the wildfire season. Most notable wasthe fire ban in May,
when we usually see the highest number of wildfires.
Wildfire season officially ended on October 31, but safe burning
practices are always in season. Fire permits are no longer required for
burning. However, you are still responsible for the safe maintenance of
any fires and for fully extinguishing winter burns.
Following safe burning practices during this period will help prevent
holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although the snow helps
reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that
you check all fall and winter burn sites to ensure that the fire is out. Walk
the burn area and roll over any debris to check for hot spots.
After October 31st, residents and industry are not required to contact
Alberta Wildfire when burning, however we appreciate the information in
the event that smoke is reported by the public.
To assist the Edson Forest Area, please report your winter burning by
contacting the dispatch line directly (780) 723-8507 with the following:
- Name of landowner burning or company and representative name.
- Phone number in case of emergency.
- Legal land description or latitude/longitude.
Following safe burning practices during this period will help prevent
holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although the snow helps
reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that
you check all fall and winter burn sites to ensure that the fire is out. Walk
the burn area and roll over any debris to check for hot spots.
Here are a few things to consider when burning this winter:
- Ensure that you have the proper tools with you at any burn site.
- Do not burn if the wind speed is over 12 km/h. Wind can pick up sparks
or embers and start a wildfire if the conditions are right.
- As with any burning, do not attempt to burn more than you can control.
- Frequently check your burns, especially in the spring. A smoldering fire
can burrow under the ground and re-surface months later.
- If you have any questions about proper burning procedures, visit
wildfire.alberta.ca or phone 310-0000.
The Edson Forest Area would like to thank the public for their patience
during the fire ban that was in effect earlier this spring. We are also
grateful for your diligence in extinguishing your campfires and reporting
any suspected wildfires to 310-FIRE.
.
Includes process colour pages 1,4,5,7,10,11,14,15,18,20,21,24
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 14 MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020 MONDAY JUNE 29, 2020 PAGE 15
Wildland firefighters in
Edson Forest Area responded
to 58 wildfires this season
Caroline Charbonneau, Area Wildfire Information Officer, Edson Forest
Area
Wildfire season ended in Alberta on October 31. Since March 1, 2020,
Alberta has recorded 703 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of
Alberta that have burned a total of 3,265 hectares.
Wildland firefighters in the Edson Forest Area responded to 58 wildfires
that burned 6 hectares during the past wildfire season. In 2019, they
responded to 67 wildfires that burnt 266 hectares. The five-year average
in our area for number of wildfires is 100 and burn on average of 3,000
hectares.
Of the 58 wildfires in our area this season, six of these wildfires were
caused by lighting and 52 were human-caused. The percentage of human-
caused wildfires in the EFA this year was 90%.
In the Edson Forest Area, the largest wildfire occurred in October
northwest of Hinton burning 2.90 hectares. Alberta Wildfire investigators
found the cause to be undetermined.
Provincially last year, 71 per cent of wildfires were human-caused. Over
80 per cent of the wildfires this season were determined to be human-
caused. An abandoned campfire started the largest wildfire this year, the
Devil's Head wildfire in the Calgary Forest Area, which burned almost 75
per cent of the total area burned provincially. Event Reminder
Albertans canhelp prevent wildfires by ensuring campfires are
completely extinguished before leaving them. Soak the ashes, stir them,
then soak them again. May 9: For mental health week, join
Overall, the wildfire season in Alberta was quieter than past seasons due the Town of Edson for Darkness to
to substantial rainfall in June and cooler temperatures throughout the Light – Mental Health Awareness. Join
summer months for most of the province. Although Alberta experienced the community and place luminaries or
drier conditions in the fall in the southern parts of the province, the a simple candle outside your home to
number of wildfires and hectares burned are much lower than the five- u n i t e f o r a l i g h t a t d a w n
year average. (approximately 5:10 am).
Several of our wildfires this year were caused by abandoned campfires.
Ensure you fully extinguish all campfires and other burning piles before
you leave.
The periods of decreased wildfire danger allowed for firefighters to work
on FireSmart projects and allowed Alberta to send 61 firefighters to help
battle wildfires in Quebec. In late September, the United States requested
assistance. Alberta was eager to help, sending44 firefighters on
deploymentto Oregon. They were grateful to be able to assist fellow
firefighters who lent a hand here in Alberta in past seasons.
A number of fire advisories, restriction and bans covered the province
throughout the wildfire season. Most notable wasthe fire ban in May,
when we usually see the highest number of wildfires.
Wildfire season officially ended on October 31, but safe burning
practices are always in season. Fire permits are no longer required for
burning. However, you are still responsible for the safe maintenance of
any fires and for fully extinguishing winter burns.
Following safe burning practices during this period will help prevent
holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although the snow helps
reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that
you check all fall and winter burn sites to ensure that the fire is out. Walk
the burn area and roll over any debris to check for hot spots.
After October 31st, residents and industry are not required to contact
Alberta Wildfire when burning, however we appreciate the information in
the event that smoke is reported by the public.
To assist the Edson Forest Area, please report your winter burning by
contacting the dispatch line directly (780) 723-8507 with the following:
- Name of landowner burning or company and representative name.
- Phone number in case of emergency.
- Legal land description or latitude/longitude.
Following safe burning practices during this period will help prevent
holdover fires that can start spring wildfires. Although the snow helps
reduce the risk of the fire burning into the ground, we recommend that
you check all fall and winter burn sites to ensure that the fire is out. Walk
the burn area and roll over any debris to check for hot spots.
Here are a few things to consider when burning this winter:
- Ensure that you have the proper tools with you at any burn site.
- Do not burn if the wind speed is over 12 km/h. Wind can pick up sparks
or embers and start a wildfire if the conditions are right.
- As with any burning, do not attempt to burn more than you can control.
- Frequently check your burns, especially in the spring. A smoldering fire
can burrow under the ground and re-surface months later.
- If you have any questions about proper burning procedures, visit
wildfire.alberta.ca or phone 310-0000.
The Edson Forest Area would like to thank the public for their patience
during the fire ban that was in effect earlier this spring. We are also
grateful for your diligence in extinguishing your campfires and reporting
any suspected wildfires to 310-FIRE.
.
