Lac La Biche Area Update

Although, we did receive some precipitation in the Lac La Biche Forest Area last night it was very scattered. The warm and windy weather today and weather expected for the upcoming days will cause the wildfire danger to climb very quickly.

For today, the wildfire danger for the Lac La Biche Forest Area will be MODERATE in areas that received precipitation and VERY HIGH in areas that did not. 

The forecast for today 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 40 kilometres per hour. 

Use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473). 

The fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction remain in effect for the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Firefighters thank you for your cooperation. By following the fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction, you help keep firefighters free to fight the current wildfires and any new wildfires that may start.

A FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION  IN EFFECT FOR THE LAC LA BICHE FOREST AREA

 

A Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction has been issued in the Forest Protection Area for most of northern Alberta beginning at the southern border of Big Lakes County, the hamlet of Lac La Biche and the town of Peace River, extending north to the border of Wood Buffalo National Park and Northwest Territories.

 

All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued.

 

Prohibited

• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.

• Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.

• Fireworks and exploding targets.

• The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands.

 

Allowed

• Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.

• Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.

• Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.

 

The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. Visit albertafirebans.ca for more information or download the new Alberta Fire Bans app.

  

 

Wildfire Situation Update 2:00 pm May 26th

There were no new wildfires yesterday. There are currently six active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Of the six wildfires three remain classified as out of control, two are being held and one is under control.

Cowper Complex (LWF121 and LWF116)

There are 117 firefighters, 21 incident management staff, 15 helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to these wildfires. 

LWF121, near Janvier/Chard did not experience growth yesterday. At 9:00 pm last night 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. The wildfire is 237 hectares in size. 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. The wildfire did receive 3 millimetres of precipitation last night. Today firefighters with helicopters will work to secure the fire guard by extinguishing smouldering ground fires. 

LWF116, in 13-30-80-8-4 (west of Conklin) did not experience growth yesterday and there was very limited open flame on the wildfire. It is approximately 1769 hectares in size. Dozers have built fire guard around 30 per cent of the wildfire and airtankers worked to secure a fire guard at the north end of the wildfire yesterday. Today firefighters with helicopters will work to secure the fire guard by extinguishing smouldering ground fires. 

Rock Island Lake Complex(LWF099 and LWF119)

There are 94 firefighters, 29 incident management staff, 13 helicopters and five pieces of heavy equipment assigned to these wildfires. An additional 62 firefighters from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Alberta are on their way. 

Rain was received overnight on both wildfires, helping to reduce the fire intensity. Both continue to show isolated, low-intensity surface fires burning within burned areas. The wildfires are not expected to grow today, but with warmer temperatures and higher wind speeds tomorrow, and the wildfires have the potential to grow again.

Photo of LWF099 taken at 12:00 pm May 26th 

LWF-099, east of Rock Island Lake is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 7400 hectares. This wildfire received seven millimetres of precipitation last night. Today firefighters with helicopters are working on the southeast corner of the wildfire, constructing containment lines and dozers are building fire guard on the east side of the wildfire.

LWF-119 , to the east of LWF099 is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 3525 hectares. This wildfire received eight millimetres of precipitation last night. Helicopters bucketing held the wildfire on the west side of the Athabasca River. Today firefighters are working on the northwest corner of the fire, constructing containment lines. Helicopters are bucketing water onto areas that are burning, making safe zones for firefighters to enter.

LWF-108, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range is being held at 38 hectares. Firefighters continue to work on extinguishing smouldering ground fires.

LWF-117, in 1-30-80-16-4, (further west of Conklin) was deemed under control by firefighters this morning. It is 25 hectares in size. Firefighters are patrolling the wildfire for ground fires.