The wildfire hazard is MODERATE for the Lac La Biche area. Don't be misled though - the hazard is dictated in part by humidity levels and is influenced by the precipitation in the forecast. The forest remains very dry and volatile. Stay alert in the forest and watch your quads and OHVs for build up that can spark wildfires.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 22 degrees, with 45% humidity, chance of rain accompanied by lighting potential, and winds SE15/SW15. The higher humidity levels are good for the existing fires and for preventing new ignitions. Rain will be welcome, however it will take a significant amount of precipitation to make up for the past nine or so weeks of hot, dry weather. It requires quite a bit more rain to soak the forest floor than it does to soak the grass.
We had one new wildfire today. It's likely this fire started as a result of lightning received several days ago. LWF 145 was actioned quickly by two crews on the ground, two helicopters bucketing, and the air tankers. The fire is about 1.5 hectares in size, is classified as BEING HELD, and is north east of Rock Island Lake. This area of the forest is full of conifer and muskeg and it could have turned into a large fire if not for the fast action of our crews and tankers.
This photo is from earlier this evening when LWF 145 was initially detected. You can see the flames at the base of the billowing smoke.
LWF 122 - Burnt Lake Fire (in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range)
This fire is BEING HELD at 31,997 hectares. The fire is 90% contained by dozer guard. Crews are working to complete the dozer guard on the north side of the fire. Other crews are working to extinguish all hotspots and flare ups within 100 meters of the perimeter. And another group of crews are extinguishing partially burnt islands of trees within the fire that could potentially threaten the perimeter if the winds were to pick up.
Crews will continue to work on the same strategies tomorrow. An early morning scan of the fire will identify any hotspots for crews to target.
There are close to 340 firefighters, staff, helicopters and heavy equipment operators working on this fire. Staff from Alberta, BC and Parks Canada are working together to extinguish this fire.
LWF 126 - Pony Creek Fire (west of Chard)
This fire changed status to UNDER CONTROL this morning. Congratulations to the 160+ firefighters working on this fire! Pony Creek fire is 100% contained by dozer guard. Crews are working in a grid pattern to "cold trail" the fire. Much like people put a campfire out by soaking it, stirring the ashes, and soaking again, our firefighters follow the same process on a fire. Crews have been soaking the fire (from the airtankers, from the helicopters with buckets, and from ground crews with hoses), stirring it (with heavy equipment or shovels and axes), and then soaking it again. Infrared scanning, done daily at dawn, is used to uncover any hotspots or smouldering underground fires. Those spots are then attacked again, with water and hand tools, until we're sure they're out. When the trail is cold, and the ashes are cold, and there's no sign of fire, ground fire or smouldering, then we will put the fire on patrol status, to watch it for some time, and finally we will determine the fire is extinguished.
ASK 001 - Saskatchewan Fire/David Fire (near Garson lake)
The fire is about 11,278 hectares on the Alberta side and 36,554 hectares on the Saskatchewan side. Crews were working very hard on the Alberta side today, with a plan to establish dozer guard on the northwest corner of the fire. Ground crews are working with pumps and hoses along the dozer guard. Other crews are working on Garson Lake Road, to secure the perimeter and more crews are working to tie in the dozer guard right to the lake at Kimowin Lake. Value protection is still deployed on the Hamlet of Garson Lake. Infrared scanning is scheduled for tomorrow morning, to pinpoint hotspots and trouble areas.
The Rest of the Area
We have four other small, UNDER CONTROL fires from earlier in the season.
We have 17 crews, 11 helicopters, airtankers, three dozer groups, one water truck, and other heavy equipment positioned across the area. We are on the lookout for holdover fires from lighting that crossed the area over the past week.
If you see smoke or fire in the forest, please call 310-FIRE.
We will be releasing information tomorrow afternoon about the FIRE RESTRICTION that is still in place. Tomorrow night's update will have information about a potential status change.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski I Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758