Wildfire Update
July 2022: With the wet spring and June rains, Fire Services is assigning the status of extinguished to the Range Road 63 wildfire. Aerial hot spot flights conducted in early June, as well on the ground patrols, established that significant moisture is present in the area. Combined with the substantial area rain falls, the fire risk is no longer a concern. Fire crews that had been dedicated to monitoring the fire area from March to the middle of June have been redeployed. Ongoing land reclamation of fire guards will be achieved over the next year as weather and access permits, likely extending into the winter months.
Fire Services is offering Fire Smart Assessments to assist property owners in reducing risk from potential wildfires. Please contact Fire Services at 780-968-8888 x 8338 or by email at Fireinspections@parklandcounty.com if you are interested in having an assessment done.
We remind the public and area landowners to be on alert for any potential weather events, including potential lighting strikes, that may ignite a wildfire.
| June 2022 Update |
|
Helicopter Activity: Friday, June 3 / Saturday, June 4 Residents can expect increased helicopter traffic in the area of the Tomahawk Wildfire, as Fire Services is completing a thermal infrared scan of the fire area to locate any additional hotspots within the fire boundaries. A helicopter will be flying a pattern in the area and residents can expect multiple passes overhead throughout the day.
|
| April 2022 Update |
|
Our reclamation of the fire guard around the fire perimeter is being conducted through our Engineering Services Department. Most of the forested areas reclamation has been completed and ongoing work over the spring will occur in field/grassland areas once the ground has thawed. In areas where there may be hot spots we will hold off on any reclamation. If landowners have question on the fire guard reclamation, they can contact Engineering Services 780 968 8888 Ext. 8445 for further details. Parkland County has applied for a grant to assist landowners with tree replacement in fire guard areas and in the fire zone, notification on the grant should be in the next few months.
Fire crews have been working on digging out active hot spots over the winter, this strategy has had a positive impact on managing this fire. The above average snowfall this winter has introduced helpful moisture in the area, however there are still active hot spots beginning to surface. Fire Services have a dedicated crew that started April 19 , they will be working daytime hours Monday to Friday in the area. Our team’s objective will be to target hot spots and monitor the fire area for any potential risk to structures.
Fire Services would like to thank the landowners and residents in the area for their diligent monitoring and reporting of fire hot spots over the winter and going forward.
Fire Services will be hosting a Fire Smart Workshop on May 7 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Tomahawk Fire Hall to assist residents in wildland fire safety and ways to minimize risk to life safety and property damage. |
Hotspots
If you find a hotspot, please call Fire Services at 780-968-8338 or email: fireservices@parklandcounty.com. Residents are reminded to only call 911 in an emergency.
Take Action
Here are some things you can do to protect your property over the winter months.
-
If you have hot spots on your property that are smoking, the winter months can be a great time to dig them out and expose
them to the elements if you have access to the appropriate equipment. Partner with your neighbours and see what you can
do together. -
Remove trees that have had their roots burned and have fallen over. This is fresh fuel for the fire in the Spring. Consider mulching trees and branches to reduce fire risks of piled materials.
-
In the spring, keep your grass mowed around your home, move all firewood and combustibles at least 10 metres from your home, clean your gutters and roof of any leaves and debris, and water your lawn early so that it can start to turn green.
Learn more at https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/ or https://farmfiresmart.ca/
Subscribe at the bottom of the page for updates
Contact Us