Lac La Biche Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area remains HIGH east of Highway 63 and MODERATE west of the highway. 

The fire ban and quad restriction have been amended.  Both the Fire Ban and the Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction have been lifted for areas WEST OF HIGHWAY 63 in the Lac La Biche Forest Area.  These areas have received sufficient precipitation to decrease the wildfire danger enough to allow safe fires and the use of off-highway vehicles.  Permits are reinstated in these areas.  The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in place EAST OF HIGHWAY 63. Persistent warm, dry and windy conditions are keeping wildfire danger levels at HIGH in this area. All fire permits remain suspended and no new permits are being issued east of Highway 63.

For changes to the Fire Ban and OHV Restriction in the rest of the Forest Protection Area, please visit albertafirebans.ca.   

The forecast is for a high of 16 degrees tomorrow with humidity of 70%, precipitation, and winds from the northwest at 20 gusting 40 km/hr.  There is also the risk of lightning. It will take a few days of concentrated rain to make a difference to the dry conditions in the forest, and to lower the wildfire danger on the east side of the forest area.  You can expect the fire ban to be re-examined if and when we receive sufficient precipitation.

Fire permits west of Highway 63 are reinstated.  Be sure to follow the conditions on the back of your permits. No burning with winds greater than 15 km/hr.

Current Situation 

We had one new wildfire today, which has been turned over to the landowner to extinguish. 

So far this season we've had 117 wildfires in the area.

We have 12 crews, 4 helicopters, and the airtankers on hand to fight wildfires tomorrow.

Other Fires of Note

Alberta Wildfire is helping with a wildfire outside of the Forest Protection Area in the MD of Bonnyville, west of Moose Lake. This fire is now under control.  For more information please contact the MD of Bonnyville at 587-792-1003 or visit md.bonnyville.ab.ca for a link to their facebook page.  

For all areas EAST OF HIGHWAY 63:

Prohibited

• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, back country 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.
• OHVs for industrial use, agricultural use, and traditional use by Indigenous peoples, as well as use on private lands. 

OHV Restriction

Prohibited

• The recreational use of OHVs on public lands and provincial parks, including designated OHV trails.

What is an OHV?

• An “off-highway vehicle” is a motorized vehicle designed to go beyond defined roadways, including but not limited to:
• Quads;
• Side by sides;
• Dirt bikes;
• 4x4 Jeeps;
• Pick-up trucks; or
• Sport utility vehicles.

Exceptions

The OHV restriction does not apply to private land or agriculture, institutional (educational), commercial/ industrial, emergency response or Indigenous peoples who use OHVs for traditional use.

To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca

The Provincial Situation

• There are currently 21 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.  7 are out of control, 4 are being held, 6 are under control and 4 have been turned over to the responsible parties.
• Since March 1, 2019, Alberta has recorded 552 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 668,829 hectares
• Firefighters from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, NWT, PEI, Newfoundland, Parks Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Montana and Oregon are all in Alberta, assisting with firefighting efforts.  Thanks Everyone!

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