The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche area remains EXTREME. Burnt Lake fire and Pony Creek fires remain out of control however we made good progress today.
We had no new wildfires today! There is no report on the fire burning on the Saskatchewan border near Garson Lake tonight.
The FIRE BAN remains in place for northern Alberta. No open fires. Thanks for your cooperation.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 16 with humidity of 35% and winds SE20. There is a chance of precip on Sunday. Cooler temps and a bit more humidity is really helping the fires settle down at night and gives us a longer window in the morning before things heat up. Thanks for the break, Mother Nature!
Burnt Lake Fire - LWF 122
This fire remains classified as out of control at 27,462 hectares. Currently there is smouldering ground fire and some torching on unburnt islands within the fire perimeter as well as along unguarded perimeter. Winds tomorrow at SE 20 will continue to try to push smoke and fire to the northwest, challenging the guard in this corner. Ground crews and cats continue to build guard. We estimate guard is in place around 30% of the fire. The current dozer guard is 22 km long. Ground crews and cat units continue to construct guard, supplemented with help from ignition crews and air support. 20 km of ignition line is complete with another 20 km planned.
There are currently 240 firefighters and staff, airtankers, 18 helicopters, six cat units, water trucks and other heavy equipment working this fire. Tomorrow 40 firefighters from BC will be joining the team on this fire.
The three images below are from this afternoon on the fire. You can see trees candling and burning patches within the black burnt area. You can see smoke pooling over the fire, and drifting to the northwest.
This map was posted this afternoon and it is the most recent map we have. The fire is about 2 km from the Primrose South CNRL facility, 15 km southeast of the Foster Creek facilities, 17 km northeast of the Wolf Lake area facilities and 14 km northwest of Marie Lake.
Pony Creek Fire - LWF 126
This fire is 3090 hectares. Today saw smouldering ground fire with torching trees within greenn islands that didn't burn off previously. The fire continues to be held at the power line on the east. Ground crews worked along side cat units to establish guard around the fire. We estimate the guard is about 17% of the fire perimeter. Air support including air tankers and helicopters with buckets also worked to contain the fire today.
There are currently about 150 firefighters and staff as well as 6 helicopters, airtankers, five cat units, water trucks and other heavy equipment. Tomorrow 41 firefighters from BC will join the team.
The fire is approximately 16 km east of Waddell Road, 20 km north of Leismer, 5 km west of Highway 881, 16 km west of Janvier, and 18 km west of Conklin.
The Rest of the Area
We have 15 crews, 15 helicopters, airtankers, two cat units, five water trucks and other heavy equipment across the area. There are four fires from earlier in the season that are under control and on patrol status.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.
Your next update will be published tomorrow at 8pm.
(Note - no afternoon update unless conditions change)
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Lozinski
Forest Information Officer
780-623-9758