The wildfire danger for the Lac La Biche Forest Area is LOW across most of the area and MODERATE across the northern part of the area for today. Some areas received rain, but some areas have not received very much precipitation at all.
The FIRE BAN and QUAD RESTRICTION have been lifted for the Lac La Biche forest area. A FIRE ADVISORY remains in place.
Although the fire ban has been lifted, there are still very dry areas within the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Please continue to be diligent with your campfire and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use.
Allowed:
Safe wood campfires in campgrounds (within fire rings), backyards, or random camping areas
Charcoal briquettes
Portable propane fire pits
Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
Be mindful when operating quads in dry, grassy areas. Stop frequently and clear machine hotspots of grass and other debris that can heat up, fall to the ground, and start a wildfire.
Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.
The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Wildfire Situation Update 6:00 pm May 30
There are currently five active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Of the five wildfires, one is classified as out of control, one is BEING HELD, and three are under control. LWF-116 changed status today from BEING HELD to UNDER CONTROL. LWF -099 changed from OUT OF CONTROL to BEING HELD.
Rock Island Lake Complex (LWF-099 and LWF-119). See MAP.
There are 158 firefighters from Alberta, 21 firefighters from Nova Scotia, 22 firefighters from New Brunswick, and 35 firefighters from Ontario. Firefighters are being supported by 18 helicopters, and 9 pieces of heavy equipment.
LWF-099 – Being Held at approx. 8,600 hectares in size
The wildfire is now being held, which means it is not expected to grow past it's current boundaries. It started May 21, 2018 and remains 10 km east of Secondary Highway 813, and 14 km north of the hamlet of Calling Lake. The community is not under threat. Today, firefighters and heavy equipment made good progress taking the wildfire to 100 per cent contained (or being held). Tomorrow, firefighters will start moving from the perimeter of the wildfire, inwards, looking for smouldering ground fires, while 9 helicopters support by bucketing on flare ups inside the perimeter. 9 pieces of heavy equipment will continue to build fire guard along the northeast and southwest perimeters.
The photo below shows the hard work of putting out a ground fires, they hide anywhere, especially inside trees. Firefighters need to use chainsaws, axes, shovels and water to put them out. Not easy work.
LWF-119 – Out of Control at approx. 5,400 hectares – 54 per cent contained.
The wildfire started May 23, 2018, and has not grown in size since May 29, 2018 (note: recent size changes were because smoke prevented a accurate measurement). It remains approximately 12 km east of LWF-099, along the east and west sides of the Athabasca River, but is west of McMillan Lake. No communities are at risk. Today, firefighters were able to focus their efforts on the east, north and south perimeters. 8 helicopters bucketed on the south east perimeter. The plan for tomorrow is for the same tactics.
A completely new way to fly! Look closely at the photo below, it is not a water bucket the helicopter is slinging, its actually our firefighters!
Under the belly of the helicopter, the regular cargo hook is reinforced by a boost hook which reinforces the attachment of the longline. Both hooks feed the long line down to a square metal plate where the four crew members hook their harnesses. This is the first of its type in the province; the team uses it to drop into areas where helicopters cannot land. We call it a HEC (Human External Cargo).
LWF-116, in 13-30-80-8-4 (west of Conklin) is classified as UNDER CONTROL at 1769 hectares. Fire guard has been built around 100 per cent of the wildfire. Crews and equipment continue to work on this wildfire, reinforcing the dozer guard, extinguishing hotspots and smouldering areas.
LWF-108, in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range is UNDER CONTROL at 31.5 hectares. Firefighters continue to patrol the wildfire area, looking for hotspots and smouldering fires and tree roots.
In addition to the resources assigned to the above wildfires, we have seven crews and four helicopters ready to action any new fires tomorrow.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Wildfire Information Officer
780-623-9758