Lac La Biche Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is HIGH.  We expect these conditions to continue until we receive rain later in the week.

We had one new wildfire today.  LWF 136 is about 5 hectares and is on the west side of Wiau Lake, between the lake and the railway tracks, or about 3 miles southwest of the CNRL facility.  Ground crews supported by helicopters with buckets and the airtankers were able to make great progress on this fire this afternoon.  They will continue to work through the evening.

Look carefully at this photo and you can see the dark reddish markings boxing in the fire.  This is retardant from the airtanker drops.  Supported by the airtankers, ground crews were quick to action this fire, keeping it east of the tracks and trapped between the lake and the tracks.

There have been 135 wildfires in the Lac La Biche area so far this wildfire season. 

We have 7 crews, 7 helicopters and the airtankers on hand to fight wildfires in this area.

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Get a Permit Before You Burn It!

You need a permit for any burning, other than a campfire.  Permits are free and available from your local Alberta Wildfire office.  Permits help us know where and when to expect smoke in the forest.  If you're burning without a permit we will assume it's a wildfire and dispatch resources accordingly.  Please take the time to get a permit.

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Quads are the Number One Cause of Wildfires in this Area!

Believe it!  Be mindful if you're riding a quad or off highway vehicle.  Stop frequently and clear debris, muskeg and other grassy buildup from hotspots on your machine.  Stomp it, or soak it, to ensure smouldering debris doesn't start a wildfire along your path.

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Provincial Summary - July 22

• There are currently 46 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Four are out of control, 18 are being held, 10 are under control and 6 have been turned over to the responsible parties.
• Since March 1, 2019, Alberta has recorded 826 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 831,912 hectares.
• Firefighters have been imported from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Parks Canada, Mexico, South Africa and the United States. 
• Agriculture and Forestry has the following resources deployed on wildfires or pre-positioned across the province ready to action new wildfires: 1,298 firefighters and support staff, 128 helicopters, 17 airtankers and 95 pieces of heavy equipment. 

Please remember to put your campfires out before you leave them.

If you spot a wildfire, call 310-FIRE! 

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.  For more information, contact:

Leslie Lozinski

Wildfire Information Officer

780-623-9758