Slave Lake Area Update

OHV restriction lifted

The off-highway vehicle restriction has been lifted for the High Level Forest Area, the Peace River Forest Area, the northwestern part of Slave Lake Forest Area and the rural areas surrounding Fort McMurray. This restriction can be phased back in if needed to address wildfire risk area-by-area. We will continue to evaluate the situation daily. 

If you choose to drive an off-highway vehicle in Alberta’s forested areas please remember:

• OHV exhausts can get very hot, reaching temperatures of over 200 Celsius, causing debris caught near the exhaust to become superheated. This debris can potentially start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
• It is crucial to stop and check your OHV and the ground for any debris that may have fallen.
• Before you ride, clean any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine.
• Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.

Fire Ban remains in effect

The fire ban in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta remains in effect. Although we have had rain, very  warm temperatures are expected in the coming days.The warm weather will cause the wildfire danger to climb quickly.

The province is trying to eliminate as many potential human-caused wildfires as possible at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic response, and the possibility of reduced firefighter availability. Click here for more information about our COVID-19 response plan.

Firefighters appreciate your cooperation with this measure and your efforts to prevent human-caused wildfires. 

For more information regarding the Fire Ban, please call 1-866-394-3473.

Visit AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected areas.

Wildfire Danger 

The wildfire danger is LOW in the Slave Lake Forest Area. To view the wildfire danger map click here.

Weather

Wildfire Update - May 22, 2020- 1:00 pm

There was one new wildfire detected on Wednesday in the Wabasca area.The Bigstone Fire Department and Alberta Wildfire responded and the small wildfire was extinguished.

Since March 1 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 23 wildfires which have burned a total of 256.01 hectares.The total hectares burned has increased due to an accurate measurement of SWF013.

The McMillan Wildfire which occurred during the 2019 wildfire season, remains under control and will be infrared scanned this spring.

Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 235 wildfires burning a total of 424 hectares.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.

Fire Ban in effect

There is a fire ban in effect for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, as well as in Alberta provincial parks and protected areas, until further notice.

FIRE BAN MAP

MINISTERIAL ORDER

FIRE BAN FACT SHEET

Fire permits are suspended or cancelled. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, but will need to be approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited
• outdoor wood fires 
• backyard firepits
• barbeques with charcoal briquettes

Allowed
• propane / natural gas powered appliances
• open flame CSA approved oil devices
• indoor wood fires 

** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An indoor wood fire is a fire inside a structure (such as a building, tent, or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor. Users are still responsible for care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans. Approved activities or devices will not prevent potential prosecution or litigation if the user or device starts a wildfire.

Unless conditions change you can expect your next wildfire update on May 28th.

• Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Fire Bans
• FireSmart in Alberta
• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• Air Quality Health Index
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
• 511 Road Reports
• Emergency Preparation
  

 

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Apps:

• Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
• Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.