The wildfire hazard for tomorrow is VERY HIGH.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 28 degrees, humidity of 35%, no precipitation, and winds at SW20 gusting to SW35 km/hr. This is bad news for the fire situation tomorrow. Heat and wind are key ingredients for wildfires. The gusty winds tomorrow will challenge fire guards on the north east sides of our existing fires. The winds will also stir things up, agitating holdover lightning fires.
There was a fire in a hay field today - and it's JULY! This illustrates just how dry everything is right now - even green fields are dry enough to burn. Please exercise caution in the forest, particularly tomorrow with the strong and gusty winds predicted.
We had three new fires today, taking us to total of 199 wildfires so far this season. Two new fires were inside the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (fairly close to LWF 122 from earlier in the season). The other fire from today was extinguished. We believe these fires are from holdover lightning from several days ago.
We have a total of 12 active fires in the area: 2 are being held, 3 are under control and 5 are out of control. One fire was extinguished today. We have 19 crews, 12 helicopters, three dozer units and other heavy equipment positioned across the area to fight new fires. Resources dedicated to LWF 161, 175/192 are outlined below.
LWF 199, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, is Being Held at .01 hectares. Tankers working on LWF 198 spotted this fire and were able to action it quickly.
LWF 198, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, is Out of Control at 40 hectares. This fire is very close to the north west perimeter of LWF 122, the wildfire from earlier in the season. There was significant airtanker work on this fire this evening, as well as two ground crews. We hope to have tankers on this fire early tomorrow morning to knock it down before the afternoon winds can try to make it grow. The photo below shows the flames this afternoon when the fire was initially detected. The next photo shows the proximity to the previous wildfire.
The photo below shows the proximity of LWF 198 (today's new fire) to LWF 122 that started on May 22. LWF 122 is the black/burnt area in the foreground. The new fire is about 5 miles northeast of LWF 122. There are no values at risk at the current time.
This shot was taken from high above the action on LWF 198. You can see the skimmer tanker filling up with water from a nearby lake.
LWF 195 saw a status change today to Under Control at 4.25 hectares. This fire is in the Kirby area.
LWF 192 remains Out of Control at 195 hectares. This fire is close to LWF 175, however they have not become one fire. Dozer guard was completed today. There are still some green "islands" within the fire perimeter that were burning today. There are 50 firefighters, 25 helicopters, and 28 heavy equipment operators working on this fire.
LWF 175 remains Out of Control at just under 16,000 hectares. This fire, which stretches into Saskatchewan, is located just to the east of LWF 192. There are no values at risk. Guard is about 45% complete.
LWF 191 remains Out of Control at 250 hectares (no new growth for two days). This fire is 25 km west of Mariana Lakes. There was no significant activity today however we will be watching this fire tomorrow in light of the afternoon winds.
LWF 189 remains Out of Control at 103 hectares. This fire is in the Bovine area. There was no growth today. Dozers worked hard on guard today. There is guard around 75% of the fire. Cenovus is about 5 km to the north.
LWF 171 is Under Control at 45 hectares.
LWF 161 remains Out of Control at just over 12,000 hectares. There was minimal perimeter growth today. Crews worked today on torching trees along the perimeter and heavy equipment worked on constructing guard on the north east side of the fire. Dozer guard, on the southwest portion of the fire, is about 15% complete. There are 70 firefighters, 17 helicopters and 31 heavy equipment operators working on this fire. Strong winds tomorrow could push the fire beyond it's perimeter to the north/northeast.
The fire is about 6 miles from Highway 63 and about 7 miles from the Old Conklin Highway. Southwest winds tomorrow mean smoke will likely be an issue for the Conklin area. The Old Conklin Highway remains closed for safety reasons. Please stay out of the area tomorrow.
LWF 122 and LWF 126, from earlier in the season, remain on patrol status. There was some smoke from within the perimeter of LWF 122 today.
ASK 001 - Saskatchewan Fire near Garson Lake, is active again on the west side. We are monitoring this fire. There are no values at risk at this time.
A Fire Advisory remains in place for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area. Due to high hazard conditions, we are no longer issuing fire permits and existing permits have been suspended. Safe campfires are currently allowed, but may be restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. Keep campfires small and under control. Make sure they are completely extinguished before you leave them.
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.
The Old Conklin Road is closed at this time.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758