Lac La Biche Area Update

The wildfire danger continues to be EXTREME in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. The FIRE ADVISORY remains in place.

Continuing warm temperatures and low humidity, no precipitation and lightning are holding the wildfire danger level at EXTREME.  The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 28, humidity of 20%, slight chance of isolated thunderstorms, and winds from the SW at 20 km/hr. We expect this to continue into Wednesday.

As predicted, lightning with little to no accompanying rain crossed the area this afternoon.  We had a total of 19 wildfires today.  At this point, 8 fires have been extinguished, 3 are under control, 3 are being held, and five remain out of control.  Download the app or visit wildfire.alberta.ca for more information on fire size and locations. 

Of the fires that are out of control this evening, three are small at less than 6 hectares.  Crews worked each of these fires today and will resume work on them early tomorrow.  There are two bigger fires.

LWF-099, directly north of Calling Lake is approximately 60 hectares.  There was substantial air tanker action on this fire from early afternoon until late evening.  The aerial attack was able to box in the fire by laying down a retardant line across the head of the fire and along the flanks.  Helicopters worked to bucket on hotspots as well.

LWF-108, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range is about 60 hectares.  Airtankers were able to work on this fire for most of the afternoon and into the evening.

We will have crews and tankers starting early tomorrow morning to continue their good work from today.  We will also be on the lookout for any fires that pop up over the next couple of days in areas where there was lightning today.

The photo below shows a rainbow in the background and the smoke from LWF-008 to the right of the rainbow. Here's your fire weather lesson for the day:  high base thundershowers means any precipitation that falls will evaporate before it hits the ground.  The result is that we have "dry" lightning - essentially lightning that is NOT accompanied by rain.  We were expecting this today, and had crews and other resources at the ready, tracking the lighting and the anticipated smokes and fires.  We were able to attack the 19 wildfires today quickly and with force.