Wildfire Preparedness

It is crucial to review your Field Activity Plan and the locations you plan to travel through, stay, or do field work and decide BEFORE YOU GO whether it is viable and whether you should be going or postponing your fieldwork.

Controls for the hazards of wildfires are:

  • Monitor fire weather
  • Observe fire bans
  • Observe ministerial orders including evacuation orders
  • Check this and speak with an officer who can let you know if it is permitted or if there are any evacuation orders, observe those orders or other ministerial orders that are issued. Carry a fire extinguisher and shovel in your research vehicle at all times. Report Alberta wildfires by calling 311-FIRE. 

Make sure to check out these online resources for knowledge of the current state of affairs and for developing your Emergency Response Plan:

  •  - At the time of this bulletin, there are 110 active wildfires. One can subscribe through the Wildfire App to instantaneously get alerts of the changing status of the wildfires in the area you are working. 

  •  - Download the app and sign up for the alerts on your phone. Note: researchers may be prevented by the government to go into an area where an evacuation order is in place. In fact, there could be roadblocks set up preventing you to travel through. 

  •  - A has been issued banning the recreational use of Off-Highway Vehicles (including four-wheel drive off-roading) as of May 5, 2023.  

  •  - The map shows areas from very low risk to very high throughout the province. 

  •  - Researchers should be checking this site regularly but they can also find out contact numbers of wildfire management offices in their area for further information.

  • This includes Air Quality warnings. These should be monitored as part of your control for weather hazards.

  •  - Check the maps before heading out, looking for road closures and at the webcams for visibility issues, also putting a planned route of travel to and from your site into your FAP is recommended. 

  •   to assist with your hazard assessment and control. 

If a wildfire breaks out in your area, report it to the particular province fire report line (right side content).

While out in the field, monitor local wildfires daily or hourly, dependent upon the conditions. If you voluntarily register for the , you will get emailed updates on wildfires in your area.

If the wildfire has affected your people, property, or research activities, report the incident online.

The govern public safety as they relate to preventing human-caused wildfires and protecting Albertans, their communities, natural resources, and infrastructure from wildfire damage. There are large penalties for infractions: for individuals, up to $100K or 2 years imprisonment; corporations can face penalties of up to $10K per offence per day. The regulations also specify that those working in fire protection areas must carry basic firefighting equipment as outlined in this chart below:
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Provincial Firemaps

Provincial Wildfire Maps


Province

Maps Report a Wildfire
AB


310-FIRE (3473)
BC -800-663-5555
MB 1-800-782-0076
NB 911
NL 1-866-709-3473
NS 1-800-565-2224
NT 1-877-698-3473
NU n/a
PE 911
ON 310-3473
QC !-800-463-FEUX
SK 1-800-667-9660
YT 1-888-798-3473

 

Other Resource Maps: