Lac La Biche Area Update

Wildfire Hazard is MODERATE but Climbing

Posted on Wed, Jun 17, 2015

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The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area is MODERATE and we expect it to climb to HIGH as the weekend approaches.

A lack of precipitation across the area is increasing our wildfire hazard.  Rain that seemed likely for the area looks like it isn't going to make it this far north.  The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 21 degrees with humidity of 40% and south east winds at 15 km/hr.  Friday is looking much the same.  The lack of precipitation, warmer temperatures and light winds mean the forest area is going to dry out fairly quickly.  

The Fire Advisory remains in effect.  Permits for burn barrels are reinstated.  Campfires are allowed. 

We had no new wildfires today!  We have 13 crews, the airtankers and five helicopters on hand across the area to fight new wildfires.

Below is a photo of our hard working warehouse staff who received and packaged 22 miles of hose back from the fires yesterday (YES, I said 22 miles of hose!), weighing almost 25,000 pounds!

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We still have one small fire, under control, from earlier in the season, as well as Burnt Lake fire and Pony Creek fire.  Good progress was made on both LWF 122 (Burnt Lake fire) and LWF 126/148 (Pony Creek Complex fires).  Crews continue to work from the outside towards the center of all fires, extinguishing hot spots and cold trailing the fire to ensure it's out.  There is still smouldering ground fire in places on all fires. Thanks for your patience as we go through the slow process of walking the fires, identifying smouldering spots, soaking them, turning them over by hand or with equipment, and soaking them again.  When the ashes are cold to the touch (thus the expression - cold trailing), we consider the fire extinguished.

Be FireSmart

Yesterday's update provided a list of five things you can do to FireSmart your yard.  If you got all those things done last night, then here's another tip:

Ensure power lines in your yard or on your farm/acreage are clear of tree branches.  Contact your local utility company if you have any concerns and they will inspect and remove trees.

Thanks for Reading the Updates During this Fire Flap

This update is one of the ways we have to get information about our wildfires out in a timely and accurate manner.  We hope that providing details about fire location, size, direction its travelling, about what our crews did during day and the plan for the next day, along with a map, helped you understand what was going on and either reassured you or alerted you to take action.  On our busiest night we had over 8,000 people read our update.

To those that are still reading the update, even though the urgency less, and are considering the tips for making your homes, communities or work sites safer, I invite you to send me your mailing address and we will send you a little thank you for reading our update, and for staying current on our wildfire hazard.

Thanks for doing your part to be informed!

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Lozinski

Forest Information Officer

780-623-9758