Achi news desk-
A thick plume of smoke could be seen far and wide in eastern Alberta on Wednesday afternoon. It may appear to be wildfire, however, it was burning under control on the military base in the area.
The Canadian Armed Forces said the Wainwright Garrison was conducting a prescribed burn at the Wainwright range training area.
The burn is four kilometers southwest of CFB Wainwright’s built-up area.
The military said airport control staff and Wainwright Garrison firefighters on the ground are monitoring the situation 24 hours a day, and the fire is currently under control.
A notice issued Tuesday by Wainwright Municipal District No. 61 said the military would conduct prescribed burns in their training area between Monday and Friday this week.
A prescribed burn seen from the air over Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Courtesy: Bernie Bartko
“Residents in the MD or Town of Wainwright may see smoke as a result of the prescribed burns,” the municipality said on Facebook.
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The notice said that the military conducts regular prescribed burns to ensure the training area is safe, and that they are coordinated with local stakeholders to ensure the residents of the Wainwright area are safe at all times.
“Any fires outside the Garrison Wainwright perimeter must be reported to local authorities by calling 911,” said the Managing Director.
Prescribed burn at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Supplied to Global News
The fire comes a week after the municipality brought a fire restriction into effect.
Managing Director Wainwright said that no new fire permits will be issued until further notice and that the existing fire permits are now being revoked.
“Any fires that are currently burning must be extinguished immediately. Only small, continuously monitored fires in fire pits are permitted, as well as barbecues used for cooking or heating purposes,” said the restriction posted on the Alberta Fire Prohibitions website.
Prescribed burn at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Supplied to Global News
CFB Wainwright is located in east-central Alberta, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton.
For the latest information on which areas in Alberta are under a wildfire warning or evacuation order, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website.
For the latest information on wildfire status and danger across the province, visit the Alberta Wildfire website.
The most up-to-date information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province can be found on the Alberta fire bans website.
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