Slave Lake Area Update

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area is MODERATE. Although we are experiencing cool fall weather, it is still important to continue to do your part to prevent wildfires. At this time of year areas of grass have become dry and flammable. Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating in grassy areas and to report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3743)

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Wildfire Situation

There have been three new wildfires since the beginning of October. These human caused wildfires have been extinguished.

SWF099 located 23 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lake is being held. Being held means under the current weather conditions and with the firefighting efforts that have been applied the wildfire is not expected to grow past predetermined boundaries.

The wildfire has experienced minimal activity and remains within the predetermined boundary. Firefighters are routinely monitoring it. The last updated size was 5,960 hectares.

Since this wildfire occurs in a zone where it does not threaten communities or resources it is allowed to burn onto the landscape naturally under the watchful eye of experienced fire managers. Using this wildfire management strategy has many benefits; it re-introduces fire onto the landscape, creates a break in the continuous fuels, reduces the intensity of the fire providing safety zones for our firefighting crews to work from and reduces the cost of fighting these wildfires.

To view the wildfire on a map click here.

Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 162 wildfires which have burned 6,299.60 hectares.

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

Fire Permits

From now until October 31st, a fire permit is required for any burning, except a campfire, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

To request your free fire permit call your local Agriculture and Forestry office.

Red Earth/Slave Lake 780-849-7377

Wabasca 780-891-3860

High Prairie 780-523-6619

Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape. If you're burning without a fire permit or outside of fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. By getting a permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.

Do your part to prevent wildfires

54% of wildfires this season in the Slave Lake Forest Area have been human caused. All human caused wildfires are preventable. Please do your part to prevent wildfires.

When you’re finished with your campfire, make sure you properly extinguish it.

When putting out your campfire:

Spread the embers within the fire pit, then add water or loose dirt and stir.
Expose any materials still burning, then add more water and stir again until you can no longer see smoke or steam.
Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch. You should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes.

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Exhaust systems on off-highway vehicles heat up to temperatures in excess of 204 degrees Celsius; hot enough to fry an egg and start a wildfire. At these temperatures, built up materials and debris on your machine (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite. The smouldering debris can drop to the ground as you’re riding, starting a wildfire.

When using an off-highway vehicles follow these simple steps to reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire:

Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
Wash your quad, trike or bike and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.
Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it’s out.

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Wildfire Information

Download the new app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more.

Available for Apple and Android.

Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.

Subscribe to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update to receive an email when new information is posted.

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