Lac La Biche Area Update

Five New Wildfires Today: VERY HIGH Hazard Continues

Posted on Sat, Jun 27, 2015

GFX-HSB-WildfireDangerUpdate-VeryHigh

The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area is VERY HIGH. 

Please avoid unnecessary burning.  Avoid or delay the use of quads and all terrain vehicles in the forest. If you must ride, stop frequently and clean grass buildup from your machine.  

The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 30 degrees, humidity of 25% and winds at NW15.  The wildfire danger increases when the temperature exceeds the humidity levels.  There is no relief in the forecast until possibly Tuesday.  In the meantime, the hot temperatures are helping to decrease humidty levels, and the forest remains tinder dry and susceptible to forest fire.

We had 5 new wildfires today for a total of 183 fires in the area so far this season.  Two of these fires are under control, one is being held and two are currently out of control.  

LWF 181 is out of control at 6.2 hectares.  This fire is within the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.  Anyone with facilities in a five mile radius has been notified.  There is no threat to facilities at this time, and business within the Range is as usual.  Airtankers were quick to action this fire, along with crews with support from helicopters with buckets.

LWF 183 is out of control at 3.0 hectares.  Crews are working on this fire.

Here is a recap of the most significant fires in the area that started earlier:  

LWF 161, Caribou Lake Fire, started Wednesday, remains out of control at about 900 hectares. This fire is about 40 miles north of Lac La Biche lake (1-12-75-14-W4).  The smoke column is sometimes visible across the lake from town, from Wandering River and from Highway 63. There are 45 firefighters, three helicopters with buckets, and two dozer groups working on this fire today with the objective of limiting the perimeter spread.  Intense fire bahavior prevents heavy equipment from working on the fire overnight.  We estimate about 25% of the perimeter is protected with dozer guard at this time.

The photo below shows the intense smoke earlier this afternoon.

LWF_161_smoke_june_27 

This photo shows open flame on the fire, earlier today.  You can see the wind pushing the trees.  If you remember today, it wasn't very windy at all.  This is an example of how fire creates it's own weather patterns and explains how fire travels.

LWF_161_close_up_june_27

View of LWF 161 about 8pm tonight.

LWF_161_end_of_day_june_27

LWF 171, approximately 51 hectares (same size as yesterday), is located at 4-12-73-8-4.  Ground crews with support from helicopters with buckets worked to contain the perimeter of this fire today.  There are 25 firefighters and six helicopters working on this fire today.

LWF 175, started Friday, is currently classified as out of control and is 1,600 hectares.  The fire is located about 6 miles from the Saskatchewan border and is northeast of Cowper Lake (4-26-81-2-W4).  This fire is about 10 miles south of Kimowin Lake (close to the location of the wildfire from earlier in May). There are no values at risk at the current time.  Extreme fire behavior prevented ground crews from working on this fire today.  There was continuous crown fire today (open flame in the tree tops).  Eight helicopters with buckets and a dozer unit worked on this fire today when it was safe to do so.  We expect this fire to spread to the northeast, driven by available fuels and winds.  The remote location is presenting access challenges for transporting heavy equipment and landing helicopters and crews.  

Several other fires from earlier in the season are still active, and are either under control and on patrol status, or are being held.

Thanks to the Wandering River Fire Department for inviting us to participate in their Pancake Breakfast this morning!

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Lozinski

Forest Information Officer

780-623-9758