Lac La Biche Area Update

We want to thank all of our wonderful firefighters, but today, a special thank you goes to our Indigenous firefighters that work with Alberta Wildfire. #IndigenousPeoplesDay.   

Current Situation

There are currently 2 active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Area.  

LWF-126 is classified as under control, 7.2 hectares in size and located 15 km west of Foster Creek Plant.  There are five firefighters and 1 helicopter working on this fire.

So far this season we've had 126 wildfires in the area.

Kettle Creek Wildfire | June 21, 2019 (7:00 p.m)

The Kettle Creek Wildfire (LWF-123) is currently classified as Being Held.  This means that with current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.  The wildfire is located 35 km northwest of Janvier.  

A detailed scan of the fire was conducted today and the reported size is now 1,715 hectares.

Heavy equipment and firefighters have been busy building dozer guard and have nearly completed the perimeter of the fire.  They also continue to extinguish hotspots and reinforce existing fireguard using pumps, hoses and other hand tools.

There are currently 75 firefighters, nine helicopters and six pieces of heavy equipment on the fire.

Firefighters are hard at work on the Kettle Creek Wildfire today.  They are dig up smoldering roots and woody debris, extinguishing hotspots with water from pump and hoses or helicopter water buckets.  Once the containment lines are secure, they will make their way into the interior of the fire.  June 21, 2019

The fire ban and OHV restrictions have been lifted for the Lac La Biche Forest Area. 

Before you go out, make sure to check out the albertafirebans.ca website or download the app for up to date changes and be informed as to what's happening in areas outside of the Lac La Biche Forest Protection Area.

Fire permits are reinstated.  Be sure to follow the conditions on the back of your permits. No burning with winds greater than 15 km/hr.

The Provincial Situation

• There are currently 22 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. 4 are out of control, 4 are being held, 11 are under control and 3 have been turned over to the responsible parties.
• Since March 1, 2019, Alberta has recorded 642 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 802,818.82 hectares.
• Firefighters from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Parks Canada 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:  2268 firefighters and support staff, 203 helicopters, 22 airtankers and 302 pieces of heavy equipment. 

It's lightning season!  With the very dry ground conditions, and the absence of substantial rain, Mother Nature has the potential to cause some wildfires due to lightning.  Help us get the jump on these fires early, before they have a chance to get too big.  If you see smoke or fire in the forest, please call 310-FIRE.

If you spot a wildfire, call 310-FIRE! 

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire. 

For more information, contact:

1-866-394-3473