The rain and increased humidity have dropped the wildfire hazard rating to LOW.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of ten degrees, humidity of 70%, RAIN, and winds NE25 gusting to 45 km/hr. More precipitation is expected on Monday. The rain is creeping northward, towards the fire west of Janvier and hopefully it will reach the Fort Mc Murray wildfire sometime on Sunday as well.
The precipitation we received today was not widespread enough to lift the FIRE BAN, which continues to be in effect for the area east of the Athabasca river/north of the town of Athabasca. The quad restriction remains in place for this area as well. If we receive the forecast rain for tomorrow, you can expect a change in the Fire Ban likely on Tuesday. If anything changes in the meantime, you will be able to get up to the minute information at www.albertafirebans.ca
A Fire Advisory is in effect for the portion of the Lac La Biche forest area that is west of the Athabasca River/north of the Town of Athabasca. You may have campfires and the use of quads is no longer restricted in this area. Existing permits are reinstated but we are not issuing any new permits at this time.
CURRENTLY IN THE AREA:
Despite the rain that some areas received today, we did have one new wildfire. This fire is under control at .01 hectares.
Good news on LWF 076, the wildfire just west of Janvier. The status on this fire was changed from out of control to BEING HELD late this afternoon. The fire is currently 147 hectares. Crews made good progress on this fire today. There are 52 firefighters, three helicopters, one dozer unit and other equipment working on this fire.
We currently have 10 crews, 4 helicopters, air tankers, one cat unit, and several water trucks in the area, ready to attack any new wildfires tomorrow.
Thanks for your patience as we wait for the rain to reach all of our area and soak the forest before the Fire Ban is revised. It's only six weeks until the next long weekend!
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758