Be Prepared: It's Wildfire Season

Today marks the start of wildfire season in Alberta. 

This means that Fire Permits are now required for burning within the Forest Protection Area (FPA), except for campfires. Fire permits are free and can be requested online or by calling your local forestry office. Saddle Hills County's local forestry office is located in Spirit River, and can be contacted at (780) 814-1983. 

A Controlled Burn Notification is required in areas outside of the Forest Protection Area (FPA). Saddle Hills County is located in the Grande Prairie Forest Protection Area.

Controlled Burns may not be approved if there are current Fire Restrictions or Bans in the County. Check our Fire Notices before submitting your Controlled Burn Notification, to see any current restrictions. 

For any questions regarding Controlled Burns or Fire Notices, please contact the Protective Services Department at ProtSrvcs@saddlehills.ab.ca or call (780) 864-3760.

Just because conditions are cooler, it doesn't mean that there is no risk of wildfire. Wildfire risk increases as snow melts and dry vegetation becomes exposed. Please always remember to extinguish your campfire when you are done with it.

Soak it, stir it, and soak it again.

Repeat these steps until there is no heat coming from the ashes.

Stay informed of fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Fire Bans. 

Check your winter burn sites. 

Now is the time to revisit winter burn sites. To prevent spring wildfires, check your brush pile or windrow burning to ensure all hot spots are extinguished. 

Spread out the remaining material, soak the area, and ensure there is no heat or smoke. We recommend you check your burn site multiple times in the coming weeks, to ensure it has not reignited. 

The key to prevention, is stopping wildfires before they start. Do your part, and help prevent wildfires in Alberta this wildfire season. Every effort counts. 

For more information about prevention and preparedness, visit alberta.ca/beprepared and don't forget to sign up to Voyent! Alert in Saddle Hills County, if you haven't already.