Lac La Biche Area Update

Wildfire Danger VERY HIGH - Lac La Biche Forest Area

Posted on Tue, May 08, 2018

GFX-HSB-WildfireDangerUpdate-VeryHigh.jpg

fire_advisory-resized-600The wildfire danger is VERY HIGH for the Lac La Biche forest area for Wednesday. The danger level is EXTREME for this afternoon and tonight, as the cold front crosses the area bringing very strong and gusty winds ahead of the front. Fires that start this afternoon and into this evening will spread quickly and be difficult to contain.  The FIRE ADVISORY remains in effect.  No burning when winds exceed 15 km/hr.

The forecast for Wednesday is for a high of 14 degrees, low humidity of 15%, and winds SE 20 km/hr.  There is also a chance of lighting for Wednesday.  Although there is precipitation for areas around us, it doesn't look like much will reach us, resulting in continuing dry conditions.  The lower temperatures for tomorrow gave us a break from the Extreme level we had today.

We didn't have any new wildfires today.  The wildfire from yesterday has been turned over to the landowner to extinguish.  This is a good reminder to check any winter burning sites for activity that might have been stirred up by the winds -  windrows, slash piles, mulch piles - please check them all.

We have 14 crews, the airtankers, 10 helicopters, 7 water trucks, and 2 dozer groups on hand in the area to action wildfires tomorrow.

In the photo below, one of our firefighters gives us the thumbs up that he's getting the grass fire under control.  Thanks for your hard work Jonathan!

Jonathan grass fire thumbs up

Be mindful if operating quads in grassy areas tomorrow.  Standing grass that has not turned green yet is dry and ready to burn. Tomorrow's winds will quickly spread any fires that start.

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Lozinski

780-623-9758

leslie.lozinski@gov.ab.ca