Lac La Biche Area Update

Wildfire Danger Continues EXTREME - Lac La Biche Forest Area

Posted on Wed, May 23, 2018

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The wildfire danger continues to be EXTREME in the Lac La Biche forest area.

A FIRE RESTRICTION is in place.  This means no backyard fire pits and random campfires.  No charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers, tiki torches, fireworks and exploding targets.  All fire permits are suspended.  The following are allowed:  campfires in fire rings in designated campgrounds, portable propane fire pits, gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking, catalytic or infrared style heaters. Visit albertafirebans.ca for more information.  This FIRE RESTRICTION is in effect until further notice.

The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 26, slightly higher humidity at 30%, high lightning probability, chance of isolated showers, and winds from the SE at 15 km/hr.  This means there is a chance of new wildfires again tomorrow, based on the lighting and questionable precipitation.  It also means that the fires will be pushed in a north west direction by the south east winds - this is the same trajectory as today.

There are currently 12 active wildfires in the Lac La Biche forest area.  Four fires are under control, two new fires that started today are being held to a small size, and 6 wildfires remain out of control.

LWF -099, east of Rock Island Lake, is out of control at just under 3500 hectares.  This fire grew to the north today and is currently about 32 km to Sandy Lake and 24 km to Calling Lake.  Air tankers worked on this fire all day today.  There were no ground crews on the fire as it was too dangerous.  The photo below gives you an idea of where the fire is.  If you look closely you can see a different colored area to the northwest of the fire.  This is an old burn site from 2009 and it should help to slow the fire down or stall the fire, allowing us to get ahead of it.

LWF-099 May 23

LWF-108, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, didn't grow today.  It is 38 hectares.  Helicopters with buckets and crews worked this fire all day today and made good progress.

LWF-116, in 13-30-80-8-4 (west of Conklin) grew to 850 hectares today.  Fire behavior was particularly aggressive and we had to pull all resources off this fire including the air tankers.  Later in the day we were able to get a few loads of retardant along the north west head of the fire while dozers were working at the back of the fire to construct guard. THe photo below shows the billowing smoke, which impeded work on this fire.

LWF 116 may 23

LWF-117, in 1-30-80-16-4, (further west of Conklin) is out of control at 35 hectares.  Air tankers, helicopters with buckets, and crews worked on this fire all day.

LWF-119, to the east of LWF-099 is out of control at 1529 hectares. Crews worked on this fire all day, when it was safe to do so.  The photo below shows the dark smoke and flames demonstrating aggressive fire behavior.

LWF 119 May 23

LWF-120, is a success story as crews jumped on this fire immediately and were able to keep it small at 1 hectare.   Two ground crews will clean up this fire tomorrow.

LWF-121, near Janvier/Chard is out of control at 250 hectares.  This fire started this afternoon and was quickly actioned by air tankers. An ignition team was able to conduct a small burn to help direct the fire. Dozers began working to construct guard in the late afternoon and will continue through the night.  Resources will be working on this fire early tomorrow. The photo below is from about 4:30 this afternoon.

LWF 121 May 23 5pm

LWF-122 is another success story as crews were able to hold this fire at 2 hectares.  This fire is in the Roundhill area between Roundill and Wandering River.  Helicopters with buckets and crews will work on this fire tomorrow.

In addition to the resources working on the current wildfires, we have 12 crews, 13 helicopters, 2 dozer units and 8 water trucks ready to work on any new wildfires tomorrow.

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Lozinski

Wildfire Information Officer

780-623-9758