The wildfire hazard is MODERATE but climbing to HIGH over the weekend. Please continue to exercise caution in the forest. Some areas are receiving precipitation, but other areas are still very dry. Winds are expected to be an issue with gusts to 60 km/hr.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 21 degrees, high humidity, precipitation, moderate lightning and winds NW 35 gusting to 60 km/hr. The increased humidity and potential for precipitation is helping keep the wildfire hazard at MODERATE however this system is expected to cross out of the area through the weekend. Winds could be an issue tomorrow for any new fire starts in areas that do not receive precipitation. Holdover lightning fires are likely in areas that do not receive significant precipitation.
We had no new fires today. There are 12 active fires in the area - seven are under control, two are being held and three are out of control. We have 15 crews and 9 helicopters as well as the airtankers positioned across the area to fight any new fires.
The photo below shows team members from (left to right) PEI, Ontario, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Australia and Australia all working on LWF 161.
Here's a recap of the current fires in the area:
LWF 210, new today, is under control at .1 hectares.
LWF 209, new today, is out of control at .5 hectares.
LWF 202 is Being Held at 66 hectares. This fire is in the Bovine area at 11-36-79-18-W4. The fire did not grow in size again today.
LWF 198, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, is Under Control at 108 hectares. Crews continue to make good progress. There are no values at risk.
LWF 192 is Under Control, at 197 hectares. Dozer guard is complete around this fire. There are still some burning within the fire perimeter.
LWF 191 remains Out of Control at 268 hectares. This fire is 25 km west of Mariana Lake. This fire has not grown in size in several days.
LWF 189 is Under Control, at 103 hectares. This fire is in the Bovine area. There is guard around the entire fire.
LWF 175 is Being Held, at 15,376 hectares. This fire, which stretches into Saskatchewan, is located just to the east of LWF 192. There are no values at risk.
LWF 171 is Under Control at 45 hectares.
LWF 161 remains Out of Control at 14,012 hectares. The fire is about five miles from Highway 63. Firefighters from Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and Australia are working together to fight this wildfire. There was smouldering ground fire today although the south part of the fire did receive some good precipitation. We hope to take advantage of the reduced fire behavior and put more ground crews in place over the next couple of days.
LWF 122 and LWF 126, from earlier in the season, remain on patrol status.
ASK 001 - Saskatchewan Fire near Garson Lake, is still active on the west side. We are monitoring this fire.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758