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.
Today the Lac La Biche Forest Area did receive some precipitation however it was very light and scattered. The amount of precipitation was not significant enough to lessen the fire danger or impact the wildfire activity.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 27, slightly higher humidity at 30%, high lightning probability, chance of isolated showers, and winds from the NW at 15 km/hr. This means there is a chance of new wildfires again tomorrow, based on the lighting and questionable precipitation.
With cooler temperatures this evening smoke will settle over the communities of Janvier, Calling Lake and Sandy Lake but fortunately northwest winds expected for tomorrow should clear the smoke away.
There was one new wildfire today located in the Janvier area. It was quickly extinguished by firefighters.
There are currently eight active wildfires in the Lac La Biche forest area. Two fires are under control, two are being held and four remain out of control.
Photo LWF-121 taken early this morning. Notice the white smoke which means the wildfire is just smouldering.
LWF-121, near Janvier/Chard is 70 per cent contained by fire guard and did not experience significant growth today. Six helicopters are bucketing on hot spots and firefighters are working to secure the fire guard. It remains classified as out of control at 250 hectares. At this time the wildfire is not threatening the community of Janvier/Chard.
This afternoon an incident management team arrived and a fire camp is being set up to facilitate the fighting of wildfires LWF-099 and LWF-119.
LWF -099, east of Rock Island Lake, is out of control at just under 3500 hectares. This fire grew to the north again today however it remains about 32 km from Sandy Lake and 24 km from Calling Lake. Seven helicopters with buckets are fighting this wildfire. Smoke may drift onto highway 813 and at times traffic may be controlled. Click here for the most up to date road conditions.
LWF-119, to the east of LWF-099 is out of control at 1529 hectares. Due to aggressive wildfire behavior today, this wildfire was monitored from the air. It did experience some growth to the north.
LWF-116, in 13-30-80-8-4 (west of Conklin) did experience some growth to the north today. It is approximately 1400 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control. Five helicopters with buckets and firefighters worked on securing the fire guard today. Dozers will continue to build guard around the wildfire tonight.
LWF-108, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, didn't grow today. It is 38 hectares and is being held. Being held means the wildfire did not experience any growth under current weather conditions.
LWF-117, in 1-30-80-16-4, (further west of Conklin) is being held at 35 hectares. Being held means the wildfire did not experience any growth under current weather conditions. Firefighters are working to contain and extinguish this wildfire.
LWF-120 and LWF-113 are under control and firefighters are working to extinguish these wildfires.
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:
Leah Lovequist
Wildfire Information Officer
780-849-0945