Visit Alberta Parks for information on Provincial fire advisories/bans for areas under the Province’s jurisdiction.
For more information on current fire advisory/ban status in other municipalities in Alberta, visit Alberta Fire Ban.
What is a fire ban?
A fire ban prohibits all outdoor fire including backyard fire pits. Fire permits will be suspended or cancelled, and no new permits will be issued
What is not allowed during a fire ban?
- open fires (brush, bonfires etc.)
- burn barrels or incinerators
- fireworks
- fire pits or chimineas
- solid fuel barbecues (charcoal, pellets etc.)
What is allowed during a fire ban?
- Gas-fired cooking and recreational appliances that can be turned on or off using a switch or valve
- fire table
- electric smoker
- propane or natural gas barbecues
What is required within a fire restriction?
Fire permits may be restricted, suspended, or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued. If the situation continues to worsen, the Town may issue a fire ban.
What is required within a fire advisory?
During a fire advisory, fires are allowed in campgrounds and backyard fire pits that have a permit, but this level is a warning they may be restricted if the situation doesn’t improve.
What is not permitted during a fire advisory?
- open fires (brush, bonfires)
- burn barrels or incinerators
- fireworks
What is allowed within a fire advisory?
- recreational fire pits with a screen, chimeneas (with a valid fire pit permit)
- propane or natural gas tables, bowls and appliances
- all barbecues
Visit Alberta Fire Bans to get information on current fire bans, advisories and restrictions throughout the Province.
Pets and Fire Safety
Pets give us comfort, friendship, and unconditional love. Make sure pets are included in your family's wildfire evacuation plan.
Download this Pet Fire Safety Tip Sheet for more information.
Campfire Safety
Thinking about enjoying one of the many municipal or provincial campgrounds this summer? Here are some campfire safety tips:
Select your site
In campgrounds or recreational areas, use the designated stoves, rings, or fire pits. They are designed to keep fires from spreading and are the best choice for a safe campfire.
When outside of a campground, use sites that are clear of dry grass, bushes, leaves, branches, tree trunks, peat moss, and overhanging branches. If the site has already been used for a campfire, use the same spot.
Build your campfires on level ground that is sheltered from the wind.
If you can’t build your fire near a water source, have a large container of water nearby to keep your campfire under control. When you are done, fully extinguish it by soaking it, stirring it, and soaking it again.
How to prepare your campfire...
You need tools:
- A shovel or spade
- An axe or hatchet
- Enough water to fully extinguish your campfire
You need a good site and good practices:
- In the backcountry or where there is not a dedicated fire ring, use these instructions:
- Make a circle about one metre around.
- Dig or scrape down to the mineral soil.
- Clear away any flammable materials within one metre of the pit.
- Extinguish Your Campfire
- Soak It. Stir It. Soak It Again.
- Let the fire burn down before you plan on putting it out. Spread the embers within the fire pit, then add water or loose dirt, and stir.
- Expose any material still burning. Add more water and stir again until you can no longer see smoke or steam. Do not bury your fire as the embers may continue to smoulder and can re-emerge as a wildfire.
- Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch.
- If your fire is out, you should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are a crucial part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you an early warning so you can get outside quickly.
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
- Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
- It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
- Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology, including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.
- Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to many fire conditions yet mitigate false alarms.
- A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
- People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are ten years old.
Floods
Floods can happen everywhere, making them one of the country’s most common natural disasters. Flooding poses a more significant threat in low-lying areas, near water, downstream from dams. Even the smallest streams, creek beds or drains can overflow and create flooding. During periods of heavy rain or extended periods of steady rains, be aware of the possibility of a flood. Flash floods develop quickly—anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Listen to local weather reports for flooding information.
Before
- Check to see if you have flood insurance coverage.
- Raise your furnace, water heater, or electrical panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
- Install “check valves” in sewer traps.
- Construct barriers, such as levees, berms, or floodwalls, to stop floodwater from entering the building.
- Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.
- During a flood or flash flood watch, be prepared to evacuate, including fill your car’s gas tank; bring in outside furniture; move valuables to high points in your home; and unplug electrical appliances and move them to high points.
- During a flood warning, evacuate if you are so advised.
- During a flash flood warning, immediately seek higher ground.
- Keep your emergency supplies kit, including water, stored in an easily accessible, waterproof place.
During
- If time allows, call someone to let them know where you are going, and check with neighbours who may need a ride.
- Stay out of floodwaters, if possible. Even water only several inches deep can be dangerous. If you have to walk through water, use a stick to check the firmness of the ground ahead of you. Avoid moving water.
- Do not drive into flooded areas. If your car becomes surrounded by rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
After
- Do not return home until local authorities say it is safe to do so.
- Do not or drink or cook with your tap water until local authorities say it is safe.
- Avoid floodwaters, which could be contaminated or electrically charged.
- Watch out for areas in which the floodwaters may have receded, leaving weakened roadways.
- Be extra careful when entering buildings that may have hidden structural damage.
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
- Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewer systems are a serious health hazard.
Fire Safety During Winter Storms
Winter storms can happen almost anywhere. They can cause us problems. Know what to do before, during and after a storm. This will help keep you and your family safe from a winter fire.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working. Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Test the alarms.
- Plan two ways out of the home in case of an emergency. Clear driveway and front walk of ice and snow to provide easy access to your home.
- Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. If you need help, firefighters will be able to find you.
- Be ready in case the power goes out. Have flashlights on hand. Also, have battery-powered lighting and fresh batteries. Never use candles.
- Stay aware of winter weather. Listen to the television or radio for updates. Watch for bulletins online.
- Check on neighbours. Check on others who may need help.
- Generators should be used outdoors. Keep them away from windows and doors. Do not run a generator inside your garage, even if the door is open.
- Stay away from downed wires. Report any downed wires to authorities.
- Be ready if the heat stops working. Use extra layers of clothes and blankets to stay warm. If you use an emergency heat source, keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away.
- Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room. Turn them off when you go to bed.
Westlock Regional Notification System: Connect and WACC
Town of Westlock has partnered with the County of Westlock and the Village of Clyde, on this alerting/messaging system to provide options to customize the information you wish to receive and how you receive it. Whether by text message, automated phone calls, social media, or email, you can choose which municipality or a combination of information from the region.
When you select categories like Transportation, Utilities, Waste Disposal, Community, Council Updates, Emergency Services, and the Westlock and Area Crime Coalition (WACC), you will receive messages and notifications and alerts specific to those categories.