The wildfire hazard has dropped to HIGH for the Lac La Biche area. Forecast winds for last night and today drove the wildfire hazard to the Extreme level today. Cooler temperatures and moderate humidity have dropped the hazard a bit, but the strong and gusty winds forecast for the balance of the week are keeping the wildfire hazard at HIGH. The Fire Advisory remains in place and we are NOT ISSUING PERMITS for any burning. Existing permits are suspended.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 13 with humidity of 30%, no precipitation, and winds W20G35 km/hr. The outlook is unsettled for Friday and into Saturday, with winds continuing to dry surface fuels and threaten the spread of any wildfires that ignite. These wind speeds mean NO BURNING please.
We had five wildfires today, for a total of 79 wildfires so far this season. All wildfires were either extinguished or turned over to the landowner to extinguish.
Just a reminder that while we are in HIGH to EXTREME wildfire danger it is particularly important that we have all of our resources available to fight wildfire. Today we had a grass fire start from a buildling fire, and a brush pile restart. It's a good reminder that the wind is tricky: wind can stir up a fire that you think is extinguished, and sparks can fly from a burn you think you have under control and start the surrounding dry grass on fire.
We have 20 crews and 10 helicopters as well as several heavy equipment units and water trucks in place across the area.
Avoid any burning until the grass in the meadows and fields turns green. It won't be long now, so just hang on to those matches in your pockets until it's safer to burn - when the grass is green and the wind is still!
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
If you have any questions, please call:
Leslie Lozinski
780-623-9758