Wildfire update as of 8:00 pm July 14, 2015
Today, we have had 8 new wildfire starts. Five are out of control, two are under control and one has been extinguished.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 214 which is located between Graham Lake and Vandersteene Lake is currently out of control and is moving northeast. This fire is not threatening the community at this time. Airtankers are working on this fire. Helicopters with buckets and firefighters are currently working on slowing the spread of this 150 hectare ground fire.
Photo of SWF-214 taken July 15th at 10:30am
Slave Lake Wildfire number 175 was a holdover lightning wildfire which was discovered on July 1st and is located 36 kilometers northeast of Peerless Lake and 33 kilometers west of Chipewyan Lakes. This fire is experiencing some growth and is causing smoke to drift into the Chipewyan Lakes area. The community of Chipewyan Lakes is not being threatened at this time. Firefighters and helicopters continue to fight this wildfire. This wildfire has burned 4647 hectares.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 211 is currently out of control at 100 hectares. This fire is located approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Red Earth Creek. At this time, there are two airtanker groups and firefighters with a helicopter working on this fire.
Map of SWF-163
Slave Lake Wildfire number 163 which is located at approximately kilometer 25 on highway 754, 26 kilometers northeast of Marten Beach is currently experiencing some increased fire activity. Winds in the area are pushing the fire back onto itself which is causing lots of smoke. Dozers have completed the guard around the south side of this wildfire and have begun building guard on the east side. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets are working to douse hotspots along the east and west sides of this wildfire. Over one hundred and forty firefighters,16 helicopters and 30 pieces of heavy equipment continue to fight this wildfire. Due to heavy smoke and poor visibility Highway 754 remains closed. For information on the road closure check 511 Alberta's Official Road Reports.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 207 located 46 kilometres northwest of Peerless Lake was discovered late yesterday afternoon. Last night dozers completed a guard around the wildfire and today firefighters and helicopters worked to contain this wildfire. It is being held at an estimated 18 hectares.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 140 was caused by lightning on June 30th and is located 60 kilometers north of Red Earth Creek. Helicopters with buckets have been working on this fire, and it is being constantly monitored by air. This wildfire has burned 1916 hectares.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 212 is currently under control at 0.01 hectares. This fire is located approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills. Firefighters were able to gain control of this fire today.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 213 is currently under control at 7 hectares. This fire is located approximately 16 kilometers south of High Prairie. Agriculture and Forestry firefighters, with the assistance of the High Prairie Fire Department were able to gain control of this fire today.
Wildfire Hazard
For tomorrow, the wildfire hazard for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area is VERY HIGH with areas of HIGH in the Slave Lake and Kinuso areas.
Weather Forecast
The forecast for tomorrow is calling warm temperatures in the mid 20's, a slight chance of thundershowers and winds will be from the southwest 20 gusting to 35 kilometres per hours. With thunderstorms comes an increased risk of lightning caused wildfires. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473). Even though there has been some rain, the ground and trees are still dry.
Local Smoke
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 217 wildfires that have burned a total of 17,508.3 hectares.Communities are not being threatened.
A FIRE ADVISORY for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area is in effect as of 10:00 am July 2. Existing permits are suspended and no new permits will be issued. Exceptions are burn barrels, smudges, sweat lodges and smokehouses.These will be allowed. A valid permit is required and conditions must be followed. Safe campfires are allowed in backyards, campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas.
Fire works in the Forest Protection Area are not allowed at this time.
Check www.albertafirebans.ca for up to date information on the fire advisory.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 15th.
Shawna Lund - Wildfire Information Officer
Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Shawna.lund@gov.ab.ca
To report wildfires call 310-FIRE
For information about wildfires in Alberta follow us on Twitter @ABGovWildfire or Facebook. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.