Peace River Forest Area - August 18, 2025

Since January 1, there have been 118 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area, burning a total of 75,613 hectares. 

Slims Creek wildfire (PWF050)

PWF050 is 30 km north of the town of Manning. This fire is now classified as being held, with no further growth expected at this time.  Alberta Wildfire continues work to extinguish this fire with firefighter crews, helicopters, and heavy equipment. 

Bison Lake wildfire (PWF044) 

PWF044 is 65 km east of the town of Manning on the east side of the Peace River. This fire is now classified as being held, with no further growth expected at this time.  Alberta Wildfire continues work to extinguish this fire with firefighter crews, helicopters, and heavy equipment. 

For real-time wildfire updates in Alberta, visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

Agricultural fire safety

Agricultural activity is the primary cause of human related wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area. Improper burning practices, heavy equipment, and off highway vehicles accounted for 51% of all human caused wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area in 2024. 

Prevention and safety are key to protecting farms, communities, livelihoods, and lives. 

Safe burning practices

Any burning in the Forest Protection Area (FPA) requires a fire permit from March 1 to October 31, with the exception of a campfire.

Fire permits ensure safe burning practices and allow staff to know where burning is approved, allowing firefighters and aircraft to fight wildfires. Municipalities may have individual rules and restrictions in place. Contact your local municipality for more information. 

See Safe burning for more details. 

Request a fire permit online. 

Heavy equipment 

Steps can be taken to lower the risk of wildfire from heavy equipment. Check for fire hazards before starting work each day, such as:

• Any buildup of crop residue around the engine, exhaust system, belts and chains.
• Damaged exhaust components.
• Worn or frayed belts.
• Signs of leaking fluids, oils and fuels.

Combines and balers can present different types of problems. Check for:

• Buildup of combustible crop residue around the engine and exhaust system.
• Concealed drive belts and pulleys that can contribute to the accumulation of crop residue that can overheat due to friction.

Regular maintenance is the key to preventing wildfires caused by agricultural equipment. Remember to:

• Keep bearings and gears well lubricated to prevent buildup.
• Remove crop residue from areas prone to generate normal heat.
• Replace worn and broken belts as soon as possible.
• Keep lubricants at proper levels.
• Repair or replace damaged or worn-out exhaust systems – in addition to a good exhaust system, a spark arrester can be installed to catch burning particles.
• Repair damaged electrical wiring.
• Keep one or more fire extinguishers on machinery and know how to use them. 

For more information, see Preventing wildfires on the farm.

Off-highway vehicles 

Steps can be taken to lower the risk of wildfire from off-highway vehicles.

• Before riding, clean out hot spots and remove debris from the machine.
• After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from the machine.
• Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
• Wash the OHV and keep it clean – do not wash in streams and creeks.
• Make sure the muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
• Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from the machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.

For more information, see Off-highway vehicle safety.

For more information call the Alberta Wildfire information line at 1-866-FYI-FIRE (394-3473). To report wildfires, call 310-FIRE (3473). 

Contact info

Tannis McNabb
780-617-4851
[email protected]