Slave Lake Area Update

Wildfire Danger 

The wildfire danger is EXTREME in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Under the hot and dry conditions a fire will ignite easily and spread quickly.

Firefighters urge everyone to use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone. 

The fire restriction remains in effect visit www.albertafirebans.ca to view a map of the affected area.  

Fire lookouts are on high alert constantly watching for smoke and firefighters in helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond.

Weather

For today the maximum temperature will be 31 degrees. The winds will be from the southwest at 15-20 kilometers per hour. Thunderstorms with lightning and strong gusty winds are expected this afternoon.

Smoky Conditions

Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia has drifted into the Slave Lake Forest Area.

If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.

Wildfire Situation

Lightning sparked 10 new wildfires yesterday. Five are classified as out of control, two are under control, two are being held and one has been extinguished. To view the wildfires on a map click here.

SWF 103-107 are located 10 kilometres north of the town of Swan Hills. Firefighters are working to extinguish these wildfires which range in size from 0.5 to 0.01 hectares. These wildfires are not threatening the community.

SWF102 located 31 kilometres northwest of Swan Hills is being held and is 6 hectares in size. There are 12 firefighters with a helicopter and water delivery vehicle working on this wildfire.

SWF101, SWF108 are under control and SWF110 is being held. Firefighters with helicopters are working to extinguish these wildfires.

Wildfires of note from July 9-12th 

To view the wildfires on a map click here.

SWF100 located 10 kilometres southwest of Chipewyan Lake is classified being held and is 10 hectares in size. There are 21 firefighters with a helicopter working on this wildfire.

SWF099 located 28 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lake is now being monitored by the Incident Management Team in the Fort McMurray Forest Area. If you have any questions regarding SWF099 please contact Fort McMurray Wildfire Information Officer Lynn Daina 780-799-9253.

The size of SWF099 will continue to increase over the next few days. 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.

SWF098 located approximately 19 kilometres north of Wabasca 166C is classified as being held and is estimated to be 11.38 hectares in size. There are 25 firefighters with helicopters working on this wildfire.

SWF097 located 13 kilometres north of Peerless Lake is classified as being held and is 20.9 hectares in size. Heavy equipment has completed a guard around the wildfire and there are 17 firefighters with helicopters and water delivery vehicles working on this wildfire.

SWF092 located 35 kilometres northeast of Peerless Lake is under control at 1.0 hectares. Firefighters will be routinely patrolling this wildfire.

SWF079 located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Snipe Lake is under control and is 4.0 hectares in size. Heavy equipment has completed a guard around the entire wildfire. There are 17 firefighters with two helicopters and a water delivery vehicle working to extinguish the wildfire.

SWF083 located approximately 23 kilometers northeast of Wabasca is under control and is 45.0 hectares in size. Firefighters will be routinely patrolling this wildfire.

SWF085 located approximately kilometer 60 on Highway 88 is being held and is 14.2 hectares in size.  Heavy equipment has completed a guard around the entire wildfire. There are 17 firefighters with two helicopters and a water delivery vehicle working to extinguish the wildfire.

Being held means under the current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.

Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 110 wildfires which have burned 229.58 hectares. For information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.

Fire Restriction

The fire restriction has been expanded to include most of the Forest Protection Area of Alberta due to hot and dry conditions and increased fire danger.

The fire restriction is in effect for the Edson, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lac La Biche, Peace River, Slave Lake and Whitecourt forest areas. Visit www.albertafirebans.ca to view a map of the affected area.

Prevent wildfires

Under the fire restriction, you can have safe campfires in your backyard and in provincial or private campgrounds.

When having a campfire, keep it small, safe and always attended. When you are leaving your site or headed to bed, your campfire must be extinguished. Soak it, stir up the ashes, soak it again to ensure it is out.

Use of off-highway vehicles is also allowed. If you plan to use an OHV remember to stop often and check hot spots. Debris can heat up, drop to the ground and start a wildfire.

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. 

Updates are provided weekly when the wildfire danger is low to moderate and daily when the wildfire danger reaches high to extreme. 

Unless conditions change you can expect your next wildfire update July 15th, 2021.

• 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
  

Social Media:

Join the conversation on

 

Apps:

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