The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche area has climbed back to HIGH. Less than expected rain, and no rain in most of the area, combined with increasing temperatures and light winds is drying out the forest floor, and has driven the hazard back to HIGH.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 21, humidity of 30%, a chance of light rain, and winds at SE20.
We had three new wildfires today. Two have been extinguished and a fire in the Crow Lake area is being held at 1.7 hectares. We have nine crews, 6 helicopters and the air tankers ready to fight new fires in the area.
I did not receive a report from the Saskatchewan fire near Garson Lake today.
LWF 122 - Burnt Lake Fire
This fire remains classified as out of control at 31,334 hectares. It is 44% contained by dozer guard. We expect to have the guard complete within 3 days. In the interim we remain vigilant, watching for winds and weather patterns that cuold stir parts of the fire back to life. We will not recommend anyone return to the area until the guard is complete, we deem the fire as BEING HELD, and we are reasonably sure danger has passed. Limited people have entered the fire area to inspect sites, but it is NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL.
Today's fire behavior was smouldering ground fire that is burning about two feet deep. Crews continue to action the fire, attacking hot spots, exposing roots of burnt trees, turning over and soaking ground fire. This is hard, back-breaking work for our ground crews. Almost 300 firefighters, staff, pilots and equipment operators are working on this fire - and sleeping in tents at night! Firefighting is not for the timid!
The photo below shows our firefighters "tent city".
The photo belows shows the Fire (black area) stopping at Ken Baker Road. Airtankers and helicopters bucketing worked hard to ensure the fire wouldn't cross Ken Baker Road.
LWF 126 - Pony Creek Fire
This morning we announced that Pony Creek fire is BEING HELD at 3,000 hectares. The guard is 85% completed. This fire received very little precipitation and weather conditions are much warmer than the other fire, enabling the firefighters to work quickly to construct guard and to knock down hotspots and leftover single trees torching within the fire perimeter. Helicopters with buckets continued to support the ground crews throughout the day today. Crews are encountering smouldering ground fire that is burning deep, and are working with pumps and hoses and hand tools to extinguish the fire. There are no further values at risk.
The photo below shows where the fire tried to escape down the powerline. You can see the dozer guard around the black burned area.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758