The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is now moderate due to increasing temperatures, wind and dead, dry vegetation. Continue to use caution with any activity that can produce spark or heat as vegetation can ignite easily and burn quickly.
Wind warning
Multiple wildfires have been reported this afternoon in the province and may continue as strong gusting winds persist through the evening. Wind can knock trees into powerlines which spark in the dead dry vegetation. The wind will carry a wildfire very fast under current conditions. If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473) as soon as possible to allow time for firefighters to respond.
Do not burn during wind events. If the wind is gusting over 15 km/h, you must extinguish your fire as per your fire permit. If you've recently extinguished a burn, it would be good practice to return and ensure it's completely extinguished. Visit our website for safe burning practices.
Wildfire situation
Since January 1, there have been 58 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 27 hectares. For up-to-date information on wildfire locations, status, size and statistics, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Alberta Wildfire recruitment
A career with Alberta Wildfire is about more than fighting wildfires. Each season, we hire people with a wide range of skills, experience and backgrounds to support wildfire operations across the province. Opportunities include wildfire prevention, communications, dispatch, logistics, airtanker operations, lookout observers, warehouse and facilities support, data entry and more. Whether you are beginning your career, looking to build new skills or bringing years of experience to a new role, there may be a place for you on our team. You can explore current and upcoming opportunities on the Alberta Wildfire recruitment webpage or visit us at one of the open houses in the province.
Explore career opportunities with Alberta Wildfire for the 2027 season. Meet the people behind our firefighting and support roles, ask questions and get hands-on with equipment used on the fireline. These info sessions are from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
- Grande Cache Recreation Centre on October 26
- Robb Multiplex on November 13
- Edson Galloway Museum on November 18
- Hinton Recreation Centre on November 19
- Evansburg Arena on November 20
Cooking and warming fires
Each fall, the forest area sees an increase in wildfires unintentionally caused by recreational fires that have not been fully extinguished. Build fires on bare mineral soil and away from dead, dry vegetation, and always extinguish them completely before leaving the site. Even when temperatures fall below freezing, a fire can continue to smoulder deep in the ground for extended periods and resurface when afternoon temperatures rise and frost or snow melts. Cool weather can be deceiving—if your fire is not fully extinguished, it can still start a wildfire.
Fall FireSmart and harvesting
Fall is a great time to reduce wildfire risk around your home, acreage or farm. Taking a few simple steps can help make your property more resilient to wildfire and better prepared for spring. Find more ways to reduce your risk in the FireSmart Farm and Acreage guide.
It’s also an important time to use extra care during harvesting and other agricultural operations. Inspect equipment regularly, keep moving parts lubricated and carry sufficient water and basic firefighting equipment. Hay baled with too much moisture can heat up during storage and potentially ignite without an outside spark. Check stored bales for unusual heat or a burning smell, and call 310-FIRE if you suspect a fire.
If you’re going to burn it, get a permit
Fire permits are required for all burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta until October 31, with the exception of campfires. To request your free fire permit, contact the local forest area at 780-723-8527 or you can request your permit online.
Contact info
Caroline Charbonneau
780-740-1341
[email protected]
Published on October 14, 2026 2:38 pm