The wildfire danger remains VERY HIGH into Sunday for the Lac La Biche forest area. Although the forecast is calling for cooler temperatures on Sunday, we don't expect the wildfire danger to decrease until we get some rain. Winds remain strong and gusty for tomorrow, with the potential to spread any grass fires very quickly.
Most of the snow is gone now. It was snow in the bush that stopped several grass fires earlier in the week. With the lack of snow now, grass fires are able to reach further into the trees.
Continue to be mindful when riding quads in grassy areas. Grass can get caught and build up around the engine and muffler, heat up, and can eventually fall to the ground causing a wildfire along your path. Stop often and clear grass, muskeg and debris from your machine. Take the same path out of the forest or meadow as you took to get in, checking your path along the way for signs of smoldering grass of wildfire.
No burning again tomorrow please. Winds are predicted to be 15 to 20 km/hr tomorrow. No burning when winds exceed 15 km/hr, even it you have a permit. Conditions for safe burning are outlined on the back of your wildfire permits.
We had 4 new wildfires today, bringing the season's total to 40 wildfires. Most fires have been extinguished, one fire has been turned over to the landowner, and we have heavy equipment working to extinguish a brush pile that burned deep into the peat layer.
We have 8 crews, the airtankers, 4 helicopters, and 8 water trucks on hand in the area to action any new wildfires.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Wildfire Information Officer
780-623-9758