Lac La Biche Area Update

EXTREME Wildfire Hazard: Fire Restriction in Place

Posted on Tue, May 03, 2016

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Hot, dry weather conditions have escalated the wildfire danger rating to EXTREME.

A FIRE RESTRICTION was put in place earlier today for Alberta's Forest Protection Area.  This means no fires of any kind, with the exception of small, controlled campfires IN A DESIGNATED CAMPGROUND.  No backcountry or random camp fires are allowed.  Permits are suspended and no new permits are being issued.

A fire weather advisory has been issued for tomorrow.  The forecast is for extreme weather conditions with temperature of 30 degrees, humidity of 15% and winds at W20 km/hr.  A cold front will be crossing the area tomorrow, bringing increased windspeeds and the potential for lightning.

Fire weather advisories are only issued under exceptional circumstances.  Cold frontal passages and accompanying gusty and shifting winds are notorious for creating large wildfires, and make fighting wildfires dangerous for firefighters.  Tomorrow could be an extremely risky day in our forest area.

We have 14 crews, 13 helicopters, airtankers, four dozer units, many water trucks and other pieces of heavy equipment ready to fight new wildfires in our area.  We had three new wildfire today for a total of 70 wildfires so far this season.  There are currently five fires in the area and they are all under control.

Please do your part tomorrow to prevent wildfire.  Avoid using quads, ATVs or OHVs.  Any spark or hot debris that falls from a quad will likely start a wildfire that will spread quickly and be very difficult to contain.

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Lozinski

Forest Information Officer

780-623-9758