Lac La Biche Area Update

For Saturday May 26

Very strong and gusty winds are expected for Saturday. The wildfire danger will be VERY HIGH to EXTREME in the Lac La Biche forest area. Use extreme caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473). 

The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 22, humidity at 25 to 30%, low lightning probability, chance of isolated showers, and winds from the west 25 gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour. 

Photo LWF121 taken at 2:30 pm on May 24th. 

Cowper Complex (LWF121 and LWF116)

LWF121 and LWF116 have now been named the Cowper Complex. An Incident Management Team is in place to facilitate the fighting of these wildfires. There are 120 firefighters, 15 incident management staff, 15 helicopters and six pieces of heavy equipment assigned to these wildfires. 

LWF121, near Janvier/Chard did not experience significant growth today. At 9:00 pm the wildfire was declared being held. Being held means the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries given the current weather and firefighting efforts. Dozers have built fire guard around 70 per cent of the wildfire and the remainder of the wildfire has burned up to a wet area. Today firefighters with helicopters worked to secure the fire guard, putting out smouldering hot spots. 

LWF116, in 13-30-80-8-4 (west of Conklin) did not experience significant growth today and there was very limited open flame on the wildfire. The wildfire is 30 per cent contained. It is approximately 1769 hectares in size. Today firefighters with helicopters worked to secure the fire guard. Dozers built guard on the east side and will continue building guard tonight.

Rock Island Lake Complex

LWF099 and LWF119 have now been named the Rock Island Lake Complex. An Incident Management Team is in place to facilitate the fighting of these wildfires. There are 94 firefighters, 29 incident management staff, seven helicopters and five pieces of heavy equipment assigned to these wildfires. An additional 20 firefighters and a heavy equipment group are expected to arrive tomorrow.

Photo of LWF099 taken at 3:51 pm May 25th

LWF-099, east of Rock Island Lake, is out of control and has burned approximately 7400 hectares.  Due to aggressive fire behavior driven by the a west wind, firefighters were not able to work on the wildfire today, but it was safe for three helicopters to work on limiting the growth on the east-side. Overnight, five pieces of heavy equipment will continue the work on the east side of the wildfire to build fire guard.

LWF-119 , to the east of LWF099 is out of control and has burned approximately 3525 hectares. Good progress was made on the wildfire today, because the fire behavior was less aggressive. Four helicopters were able to create safe zones for 24 firefighters to be on the ground, the crew and helicopters are working to prevent the wildfire from crossing the Athabasca River.

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.