The wildfire hazard is LOW for the Lac La Biche forest area.
Wildfire season officially ended yesterday, October 31. From now until the start of wildfire season on March 1, 2018 you can burn without a permit. Please remember to be mindful when burning. Fires that are set at this time of year, and that burn for longer stretches of time, can burn down into the ground. They may appear to be out, on the surface, but they can smoulder and burn underground, causing a problem in the Spring.
If you're burning brush piles or windrows, keep an eye on your burn site. It's fall and almost winter, but some communities are still struggling with grass fires. Inserting a metal rod into your fire will tell you if that fire is still burning deep down, or if it's really extinguished. Lots of water and even heavy equipment could be needed to turn the ashes over and extinguish the fire.
Abandoned campfires are an issue at this time of year. If you're hunting or recreating in the forest, please make sure your campfire is extinguished before you leave. Do not assume that the snow is going to put the fire out for you. Chances are it will smoulder and burn into the duff, even if it's covered by snow.
This was a slower wildfire season in the Lac La Biche forest area, and we thank you for your part in that. Because we had fewer human caused fires in our area, we were able to export some of our crews to help out in other parts of the province that weren't as lucky as we were.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
Your next update will be on December 1.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Wildfire Information Officer
780-623-9758