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Whitecourt Forest Area - February 19, 2026
Low wildfire danger
The wildfire danger in the Whitecourt Forest Area is low. If you conducted any burning activities over the winter, it is critical to check those locations to ensure burning projects are fully extinguished.
Safe winter burning
If you plan to burn this winter, we encourage you to follow our winter burning guidelines.
Here are some suggestions for safe burning:
- Ensure there is good snow cover (more than 15 cm) before taking on a new burn project
- Wind speeds of less than 15 km/h will lessen the chances of embers flying into nearby dry vegetation
- Burning in stages so it's more manageable
- Avoid burning when an inversion is forecasted. Inversions happen when cold air is trapped below a layer of warm air. It causes smoke to stay close to the ground, impacting visibility on roadways and possibly causing smoke-related health concerns
If you are planning large-scale burning in the Whitecourt Forest Area, please notify us in advance. Reporting large-scale burns helps prevent firefighters from being dispatched to non-emergency fires. Call 780-778-7166 (leave a message if unanswered) and provide:
- Name of landowner or company, and representative
- Contact phone number
- Legal land description or latitude/longitude
Check old burn sites
It is important to check old burn locations. Even if you are confident a fire has been fully extinguished, we strongly encourage you to revisit these sites and closely monitor for any signs of heat, smoke or flame.
While winter is generally the safest time to carry out these projects and fire permits are not currently required, any burning you conduct is your responsibility.
Snow and winter conditions have returned but fire season is only a few weeks away. All existing burns will need to be extinguished by February 28 and any new burns will require a permit. You will require a fire permit for any burning in the Forest Protection Area (FPA), with the exception of a campfire, from March 1 to October 31.
FireSmart
Winter is the perfect time of year to gain knowledge of the FireSmart principles so that you can better protect your home and property this upcoming spring. Take the free online FireSmart 101 course to get started today!
Published on February 19, 2026 1:26 pm
Wildfire season runs March 1 – October 31.
Tree cutting permits are required to cut firewood and Christmas trees on public land. In Alberta they are free and available online.
A surprising number of wildfires start in the winter. Remember to follow safe burning practices, even after wildfire season ends.
Contact info
Colby Lachance
780-286-4332
[email protected]