Fort McMurray Forest Area

Join Alberta Forestry at a nearby event

Join Alberta Forestry to learn about wildfire prevention, operations and FireSmart recommendations. Stay tuned for more upcoming events.

• September 10: Fort McKay Trade Show
• September 12: Regional Emergency Services Pancake Breakfast

Off-highway vehicles (OHV's)

Help prevent wildfires by using vehicles and off-highway vehicles safely in dry conditions:

• Stop frequently to remove grass, mud and other debris from hot spots on your vehicle. 
• Carry firefighting tools, including a shovel, pail and fire extinguisher. 
• Never park in tall grass. Heat from a vehicle’s exhaust system can ignite dry vegetation. Park on bare ground or gravel whenever possible.

For more information, see off-highway vehicle safety.

Don’t give embers a chance. Be FireSmart

Did you know that most homes that are damaged or destroyed by wildfire are not impacted by the advancing wall of flame but by ignition from flying sparks and embers? This fire season, take simple steps that reduce the risk to your home.

• A mowed lawn is a fire-resistant lawn. Grasses shorter than 10 centimetres are less likely to burn intensely and may slow the spread of fire.
• Thinning and pruning trees can slow down wildfire spread.
• Remove low-hanging branches up to two metres from the ground.
• Avoid using bark or pine needle mulch within 10 metres of your home, as they are highly combustible. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock mulch significantly reduce the spread of wildland fire.

To learn more, take the free one-hour FireSmart 101 course online.