The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area is EXTREME. We are anticipating severe fire weather on Friday where strong and gusting winds may challenge fire perimeters.
Please take extra precaution in the forest on Thursday and Friday. Avoid burning. Avoid quad use. High lightning potential and very strong, gusting winds are forecast for Friday.
Happy Canada Day. This photo was taken at the Lac La Biche airtanker base. The orange tank the flag is flying from holds retardant that is loaded into our tankers. The plane is a Convair that carries close to 8,000 litres of retardant.
A Fire Advisory is in place for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area. Due to extreme hazard conditions, we are no longer issuing fire permits. Heavy burning is restricted until further notice. Safe campfires are currently allowed, but may be restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen.
Sorry, but NO FIREWORKS.
Avoid or delay the use of quads and all terrain vehicles in the forest. If you must ride, stop frequently and clean grass buildup from your machine.
Give careful consideration to where you might want to random camp. Parts of The Old Conklin Highway, or "The Miles" as it's called locally could be impacted by LWF 161. For your safety, stay a good distance south of Checkerboard Corner.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 28 degrees, humidity of 30%, winds at SW15, and moderate lightning potential. There is a fire weather advisory predicted for Friday with sustained winds from 25-30 km/hr and gusts from 40-60 km/hr associated with a cold front crossing the area. Lightning will also be an issue with this weather system. We may or may not get enough precipitation along with the lightning to prevent or delay lighting fires. These wind conditions have the potential to aggravate existing fires, testing fire guards, creating spot fires, and stirring up fires that are being held or are under control. We expect Friday to be an active fire day and the safety of our firefighters will be of paramount importance.
We had no new wildfires today for a total of 188 fires in the area so far this season.
Here is a recap of significant fires in the area (those fires that are being held or out of control):
LWF 181 changed status today to Under Control, at 6.3 hectares and is within the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. There is no threat to facilities at this time, and business within the Range is as usual. Ground crews and helicopters with buckets have been working on this fire today.
LWF 175, Winifred River Fire, started Friday, is currently classified as out of control and is 12,500 hectares (no growth today, more accurate gps reading for size). The fire started northeast of Cowper Lake (4-26-81-2-W4) and has spread southeast and crossed into Saskatchewan. Dozers and ground crews were working on guard on the west flank today. Helicopters with buckets actioned active areas of the fire to prevent perimeter spread.
LWF 171 saw a status change today to Under Control. This fire is approximately 60 hectares (no change from yesterday), is located at 4-12-73-8-4. Ground crews with support from helicopters with buckets worked to contain extinguish hotspots on the perimeter of the fire today.
LWF 161, Caribou Lake Fire, started Wednesday, remains out of control at about 8,300 hectares. Smoke lifted long enough for a more accurate gps measurement today. This fire is about 40 miles north of Lac La Biche lake (1-12-75-14-W4). The fire is about seven miles long currently. Today dozers began constructing guard on the south west corner of the fire. They had about 2 km completed at 6pm. Helicopters bucketed the area to cool it off prior to dozers moving in to clear guard. Ground crews are working alongside, laying hose and starting to extinguish along the perimeter of the guard.
Dates for Highway 881 to be closed have changed from July 4 and 5 to July 11 and 12. This does not impact fire operations, however it means that Highway 63 will be the only through route to Fort McMurray. We will be closely monitoring winds as we approach these dates, and will be in touch with appropriate parties. LWF 161 is currently about 13 kilometers east of Highway 63. East winds could be problematic in terms of smoke and highway traffic.
One fire was extinguished today. We have 13 active fires in the area. Eleven are under control and two are out of control. The Saskatchewan/David fire is active again but little action today. High altitude scans are planned for tonight on this fire, if the weather permits.
We have 17 crews, 15 helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment positioned across the area and ready to action new fires. There are 99 firefighters including 9 helicopters and 28 pieces of heavy equipment working on LWF 175. There are 94 firefighters including 9 helicopters and 13 pieces of heavy equipment working on LWF 161.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758