Smoke will be visible during controlled burns across Municipality

Controlled burns may begin as soon as today and will continue throughout May across the Municipality to reduce the wildfire risk in the region.

Regional Emergency Services (RES) firefighters will be conducting controlled burns within the Urban Service Area of Fort McMurray once locations are snow free and conditions are acceptable for safe burning.  Where possible, Alberta Wildfire crews will support these efforts.

Alberta Wildfire also has plans to conduct controlled burns in several rural areas of the municipality. For the most recent information about Alberta Wildfire hazard reduction burns, download the Alberta Wildfire App. Fort McMurray Forest Area and Lac La Biche Forest Area updates are available under “information” on the banner. Learn more at alberta.ca/wildfire.

Hazard reduction burns 

Trained Alberta Wildfire and Regional Emergency Services crews conduct hazard reduction (controlled) burns in a safe manner to remove dead and dry surface fuels—such as leaves, grass, invasive weeds, and wood—that accumulate over the winter months, helping reduce wildfire risk in the region.

During burns, some fire and smoke will be visible. People should avoid areas during burning activity to allow crews to safely do their work.

Signs will be placed in nearby areas to remind residents of planned burns. While every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts, people living nearby should keep their windows closed.

Targeted areas for burns

Hazard reduction burns are currently planned for the following areas.

Fort McMurray (west):

• North Tower Road: A 25-hectare strip north of Tower Road running north towards Parsons area, west of Timberlea.
• Northwest Parsons Creek: A 7-hectare strip running northeast, connecting the northern end of the North Tower Road burn to natural fire breaks near North Parsons Gateway.
• Bottom of Thickwood Overpass: Roughly 3 hectares to be burnt
• Old Dump in Thickwood (behind Ermine Crescent): 1.5 hectares
• Water Treatment Plant: 2 hectares
• Highway 63 & Saprae Creek Trail: 2 hectares

Abasand:

• A 15-hectare strip running south from the Athabasca River towards the Horse River, west of Abasand.

Saprae Creek:

• A 25-hectare strip running north to the Clearwater River, east of Saprae Creek.

Gregoire Lake Regional:

• Amoco Meadow: A 6.98-hectare section, south of Amoco Road, East of Twp Road 854A.
• Amoco Field: A 1.09 hectare section, west of Amoco Road.

Fort Chipewyan 

• Three areas of waterfront east and west of Big Dock – total 5.97 Hectares

Fort Smith – Fort Fitzgerald

• Several areas totaling 16.31 hectares

Exact areas and timing of burns will be determined by weather and conditions on the ground.

For more information

Anyone with questions or concerns about controlled burning in the Urban Service Area of Fort McMurray may contact Pulse at 780-743-7000.