Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger is LOW for the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Rain is in the forecast for the next few days.

wildfire danger August 31

Wildfire Situation

There have been no new wildfires in the last 24 hours

Wildfires of Note

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 some growth over the past few days. The wildfire remains within the predetermined boundary and 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.

Click here to view map of SWF099.

SWF079, 083, and 114 are all under control and firefighters are routinely monitoring these wildfires.

To view the wildfires on a map click here.

Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 152 wildfires which have burned 6,288.22 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

Photo: SWF091 Abandoned campfire found at a day use area north of Slave Lake.

On the afternoon of Sunday July 11th an off-duty firefighter found an abandoned campfire in a day use area north of Slave Lake. The smouldering campfire was extinguished by firefighters in 10 minutes.

Firefighters want to remind everyone to take the time to put out your campfire before you leave.

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.

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.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.