The wildfire danger is VERY HIGH in the Lac La Biche forest area. In areas that did receive some precipitation the fire danger is HIGH.
The amount of precipitation received yesterday was not enough to significantly reduce the fire danger. A few hours of warm weather will quickly dry up the moisture and cause the wildfire danger to climb.
The forecast for today is for a high of 25, slightly higher humidity at 35%, moderate lightning probability, chance of isolated showers, and winds from the west/northwest 15 to 20 km/hr. This means there is a chance of new wildfires today, based on the thundershowers with lighting expected this afternoon.
Photo LWF-121 taken at 2:30 pm on May 24th.
Wildfire Situation Update 9:00 pm May 24
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.
LWF-121, near Janvier/Chard did not experience significant growth today. Dozers have built fire guard around 70 per cent of the wildfire and the east side of the wildfire has burned up to a wet area. 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