The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche area has dropped to LOW. The precipitation we received over the last two days along with the higher humidity levels has decreased the threat from wildfire.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 17, humidity of 30%, no precip and winds SE15.
LWF 122 Burnt Lake Fire
Check out this amazing shot of the fog just lifting at the helibase this morning. Thanks to Milan Skrecek, Helicopter Coordinator for LWF 122 for this great shot.
This fire remains classified as out of control at 31,334 hectares. It is 44% contained by dozer guard. Limited access re-entry into the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range commenced today, with some industry representatives visiting their plant sites to survey the situation. Current fire behavior is deep burning, smouldering ground fire. If weather conditions remain consistent, we estimate completing containment within 72 hours.
Crews are working along the perimeter and inside the fire boundary to extinguish hot spots, and battle smouldering ground fire. Burnt trees within the fire boundary are beginning to fall. This will be a hazard for our firefighters as the winds pick up over the course of the week.
Almost 300 firefighters, staff, pilots and equipment operators are battling this wildfire. The fire has received some precipitation for the past two days. The forecast for the rest of the week shows no further precipitation, gradually warmer temperatures and winds from the SE.
The perimeter of the fire has not changed since yesterday. An updated map is shown below.
LWF 126 Pony Creek Fire
The fire remains classified as out of control, although the size did not change today and remains at 2974 hectares. Today saw very good progress on the construction of dozer guard and we estimate the fire is about 75% contained. The weather is co-operating and crews are working diligently to put out hotspots around the perimeter as well as within the fire boundary. Other crews are working with pumps and hoses to extinguish deep burning ground fire in places.
Almost 200 firefighters, staff, pilots and heavy equipment operators are working on Pony Creek fire. Although the rain was great for the fire, I'm sure our firefighters will be happy to have dry feet for the rest of the week, as there is no more rain in the forecast.
Saskatchewan Fire Near Garson Lake
A big thanks to the Saskatchewan firefighters who are working on the Alberta side of the fire near Garson Lake! Substantial progress was made today as crews worked on flareups on the perimater from Kimowin Lake to the McMurray winter road just south of Garson Lake. Five dozers worked along with firefighters with pumps and hoses working on the hotspots and establishing a containment line joining the winter road with the fireline. Scanning took place today to identify hotspots, and heavy equipment and crews were extinguishing hotspots, spreading dirt and ashes and cooling down the duff. Value protection in the form of sprinklers have been deployed on the hamlet of Garson Lake until further notice.
The last size update supplied indicated 3100 hectares on the Alberta side. A map from today is shown below.
The Rest of the Area
We had no new wildfires today! We have 10 crews, the air tankers and four helicopters deployed across the area for any new starts. We are on the watch for smoke or fire in the forest from any of the many lightning strikes we had over the past couple of days. Moisture in some areas may be sufficient to suppress the holdover lighting fires, but parts of our area remain quite dry as they didn't receive the precip.
As always, thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire!
Your next update will be tomorrow evening.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758