Lac La Biche Area Update

Wildfire Hazard HIGH Heading into the Weekend

Posted on Thu, Jul 28, 2016

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The forecast for Friday and Saturday is for continuing hot with moderate winds and high lightning potential.  Although there is a chance of precipitation, it's light and scattered.  The combination of high temperatures, lighting and a lack of rain means the potential for wildfires is HIGH.

We had two lightning fires this afternoon.  Our lookout observers were quick to report the lightning strikes and their eagle eyes were watching for resulting smoke.  Between the air tankers, helicopters with buckets and our ground crews we were able to catch one fire while it was quite small.  The second fire is about 12 hectares in size.  Both fires are still listed as out of control, but that is because they are only a couple of hours old.  We expect to change these classifications to being held before the day is over.

We expect this same pattern of afternoon lighting fires tomorrow with the possibility of holdover fires from today's lightning as well as new lightning.

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

If you're in the Lac La Biche area, watch for us in the Pow Wow Days parade tomorrow.  Bertie will be on hand as well as our firefighters.  There will be an air tanker demonstration tomorrow following the parade.  The bird dog and four Air Tractors will be doing a series of loads and drops along the lakeshore in front of the Legion.  Join us for a close-up view of how our water bombers attack wildfires.  And watch for me - I'll be along the lakeshore as well with model airplanes for those that can tell me the three steps to extinguish your campfire - Soak It, Stir It, Soak it Again.

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Lozinski

Forest Information Officer

780-623-9758