The wildfire hazard is MODERATE for Friday, August 4.
Temperatures are expected to be in the low 20s, with humidity around the 60% mark and light winds for the next several days. We expect the hazard to hover between LOW to MODERATE throughout the long weekend and into next week.
There are currently no active fires in our forest area. We have five crews on hand to action any new wildfires. Many of our crews have been exported to southern Alberta, BC and Montana. Southern Alberta continues to be very dry and the potential for wildfire is Extreme.
The airtankers that were based in Lac La Biche earlier in the season have been working out of Slave Lake, since the CL215s (The Ducks) from Slave Lake were exported to help in BC. The Fire Boss tankers have been fighting fires in High Level and more recently, in Fort McMurray. The Ducks are back from BC now and, if everything goes according to plan, we anticipate having them fly the airtanker demonstration tomorrow immediately following the Pow Wow Days Parade in Lac La Biche. If you're on the bank of the lake near the Legion by noon tomorrow, you could see a great demonstration of Alberta's airtankers. If the wildfire situation changes this evening, and the Ducks are needed for early morning fire suppression, and the Fire Boss group is still working in Fort McMurray, we may not be able to provide an airtanker demonstration. Thanks for understanding!
Although the hazard is moderate, please be mindful of wildfire this weekend. Never leave a campfire until it is extinguished. Soak it, stir it, and soak it again. And watch hotspots on your quads.
Your next update will be issued on Thursday, August 10 unless conditions change in the meantime. At any time you can visit wildfire.alberta.ca for daily information on the wildfire hazard in each forest area. Click here to see the fire danger rating map.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758