Wildfire Situation as of 7:00 pm July 1st
The lightning that passed through last night sparked thirty six new wildfires in the northern portion of the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. These wildfires are located far from communities and the majority of these wildfires are under half a hectare in size. The total area burned is estimated to be 135.76 hectares.
Thanks to hard work of firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment eighteen wildfires have been extinguished, six are under control and three are being held. At this time there are nine wildfires classified as burning out of control in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area.Communities are not being threatened. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make good progress on fighting these wildfires.
Photo of Slave Wildfire number 163 at 4:00 pm July 1st
Summary of wildfires classified as out of control
Firefighters and helicopters continue to work on containing these wildfires.
SWF 142, SWF 144 and SWF 175 are located 26 plus kilometres northeast of Peerless Lake. These wildfires are 13, 0.01 and 15 hectares.
SWF 143 is located 60 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek and is 30 hectares.
SWF 167 and SWF 168 are located 23 kilometres northeast of Sandy Lake. These wildfires are seven and 0.2 hectares.
SWF 165 is located 34 kilometers northeast of Marten Beach and is 1.5 hectares.
SWF163 and 164 These wildfires are located 2.5 kilometres north of kilometre 20 on highway 754 are estimated to be 40 hectares and 3.5 hectares. These wildfires are not threatening the highway. Dozers have completed guard around 50 per cent of wildfire number 163.
Check the Alberta Wildfire App or click here for the location and status of these wildfires. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 175 wildfires that have burned a total of 1, 352.13 hectares.
For information on the wildfires burning in Alberta visit the Wildfire Status Map at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App.
Wildfire Hazard
HIGH to VERY HIGH wildfire hazard persists for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. We are expecting winds to be 20 kilometres per hour. Use extreme caution while out enjoying our forests and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473). The forests are very dry and under windy conditions a wildfire will spread very quickly.
Smoke
At this time, smoke from wildfires in High Level and the Northwest Territories is drifting into the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Anyone with health concerns should check the Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24/7 health advise from health link Alberta. For a smoke forecast map please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.
Weather Forecast
For Thursday, the forecast is calling for warm temperatures, a chance of thundershowers and winds from the southwest 20 kilometres per hour.
For Friday,winds are expected to become very strong and gusty due to a cold front that is pushing in.
Fire Permits
Happy Canada Day! Be sure to request your free fire permit if you plan on igniting fireworks in the Forest Protection Area.
The fire permit suspension has been lifted and new fire permits are being issued. However fire permits will not be issued for brush piles.Campfires are allowed and do not require a fire permit.
To request your free fire permit call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office.
Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless Lake/Trout Lake 780-849-7377
High Prairie 780-523-6619
Wabasca 780-891-3860
Fire permits help us track what is burning on the landscape. By getting a fire permit and following the fire permit conditions you help keep our firefighters free to fight new wildfires that may start.
Soak it, Stir it up and Soak it Again
Make sure your campfire is out. Soak it thoroughly, stir it up and soak it thoroughly again. Hold your hand above the ashes to check for heat. Click here to learn how you can make sure your campfire is out.
Help prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle
When riding your off-highway vehicle be sure to stop often and clean any debris from the hotspots. Unchecked, the debris can build up, begin to smolder and fall away sparking a wildfire. Click here to learn how you can prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfires.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 2nd.
Leah Lovequist- Wildfire Information Officer
Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Leah.Lovequist@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.