Lac La Biche Area Update

The wildfire danger is MODERATE for the Lac La Biche forest area for June 26. 

This afternoon strong and gusty winds did their best to dry out the forest and spread existing wildfires.  As the cold front crossed the province we experienced lighting moving from west to east across the forest area.  Some storm cells were accompanied by rain and hail, others by rain, and some brought little to no precipitation.  Because of this hit and miss precipitation, the fire danger for tomorrow is MODERATE.

Tomorrow's forecast is for a high of 14 degrees, humidity of 50%, with winds at W 25 gusting to 40 km/hr and a low chance of lightning. We will be working on existing wildfires and be on the lookout for wildfires emerging from the lightning today in areas that didn't receive significant precipitation.

We had one new wildfire today.  LWF-169 is located at 6-27-77-2-W4 and is classified as out of control at 20 hectares.  The airtankers, helicopters with buckets, and ground crews worked on this fire most of this afternoon and into the evening. Work will begin early tomorrow on this wildfire.  It is very close to a lake, allowing good access to water for pumps, buckets and the tankers.  There are no values at risk close by.

LWF-168, the wildfire from yesterday, was downgraded to being held earlier this evening.  Crews worked diligently on that fire all day and work will resume again tomorrow.  This fire is not expected to grow in size.

So far this season we've had 169 wildfires. There are 12 active fires in the area - 10 are under control, one is being held, and one is out of control.  

In addition to crews working on the existing wildfires, we have an additional 10 crews, 8 helicopters, the airtankers, and three dozer groups ready to fight any new wildfires tomorrow.

If you are out and about tomorrow, and see smoke or fire in the forest, please call 310-FIRE.

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.