The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area is EXTREME.
A Fire Advisory is in place for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area. Due to extreme hazard conditions, we are no longer issuing fire permits. Heavy burning is restricted until further notice. Safe campfires are currently allowed, but may be restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen.
Sorry, but NO FIREWORKS. Please save them for the next holiday with lower wildfire hazard.
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.
Give careful consideration to where you might want to random camp. Parts of The Old Conklin Highway, or "The Miles" as it's called locally could be impacted by LWF 161. For your safety, stay a good distance south of Checkerboard Corner.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 27 degrees, humidity of 40%, winds at NW15, and high lightning potential. Most of today's new wildfire starts were from lighting. The potential tomorrow is greater. The forest continues to be extremely dry.
We had four new wildfires today for a total of 188 fires in the area so far this season.
Here is a recap of significant fires in the area:
LWF 181 saw a status change to BEING HELD today. This fire is 6.3 hectares and is within the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. There is no threat to facilities at this time, and business within the Range is as usual. Ground crews and helicopters with buckets have been working on this fire today.
LWF 175, Winifred River Fire, started Friday, is currently classified as out of control and is 13,300 hectares (minor growth today). The fire started northeast of Cowper Lake (4-26-81-2-W4) and has spread southeast and crossed into Saskatchewan. This fire is about 5 miles south of Kimowin Lake (close to the location of the wildfire from earlier in May). Extreme fire behavior and smoke complicated working on this fire today. Dozers were working on guard on the west flank today and ground crews were also working where it was safe to do so. Helicopters with buckets actioned active areas of the fire to prevent perimeter spread.
LWF 171 saw a status change today to BEING HELD. This fire is approximately 60 hectares (no change from 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.
LWF 161, Caribou Lake Fire, started Wednesday, remains out of control at about 10,000 hectares. The fire saw some growth today but smoke prevented an accurate gps measurement. This fire is about 40 miles north of Lac La Biche lake (1-12-75-14-W4). The fire is about seven miles long currently. Helicopters with buckets and ground crews worked today to build safe points (anchor points) where crews can safely work from. The plan for tomorrow is for dozers to move into the fire area in the southwest corner, off the old Fort Mc Murray Highway. Dozers will work north and south/southwest from there and will begin to construct guard. Helicopters will bucket to cool the area down, dozers will begin to clear a guard and ground crews will follow, extinguishing the fire as it is safe to do so.
Highway 881 will be closed on July 4 and 5 at kilometer 242. This does not impact fire operations, however it means that Highway 63 will be the only through route to Fort McMurray. We will be closely monitoring winds as we approach these dates, and will be in touch with appropriate parties. LWF 161 is currently about 13 kilometers east of Highway 63. East winds could be problematic in terms of smoke and highway traffic.
The image below shows the severe smoke situation this afternoon on the fire.
Five fires were extinguished today. We had four new wildfires start today after a cold front moved across the area. Several other fires from earlier in the season are still active, and are either under control and on patrol status, or are being held. The Saskatchewan/David fire is active again and is about 4 km from Kimowin Lake. Sprinklers are protecting a lodge in the area. LWF 175 is burning south of this existing fire.
Totals: There are 17 active fires in the area. Four are out of control, one is being held and 12 are under control.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758