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 map of the Alberta Forest Offices 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:

• Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard - 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. 

• Alberta Emergency Alerts - 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. 

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

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

• Alberta Fire Bans - 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.

• Environment Canada Public Weather Alerts This includes Air Quality warnings. These should be monitored as part of your control for weather hazards.

• 511 Road Reports - 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. 

•  Wildfire Smoke Alberta OHS Bulletin 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).