Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Area Wildfire Update - August 15, 2017

Posted on Tue, Aug 15, 2017

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Wildfire Hazard August 15, 2017

Rain showers and cooler temperatures have caused the wildfire hazard to drop to Moderate for the Slave Lake Forest Area.   Click here to view the wildfire hazard map.  Temperatures for today are expected to be around twenty degrees with winds out of the northwest at 20 km/hr. 

Wildfire Situation as of August 14, 2017 10:00 am 

Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 111 wildfires, burning a total area of 5,804.43 hectares. 


SWF107

SWF107-1.jpgPhoto taken August 14, 2017

Wildfire SWF-107 was detected August 13, 2017 at approximately 12:30pm.  This fire started as a result of lightning that passed through the area previously.  This wildfire is currently classified as ‘Out of Control’, meaning that the wildfire is burning and is expected to continue to grow.  It is currently 5118 ha and is located approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Chipewyan Lakes.  At this time, the wildfire is not threatening homes or the community.

On SWF107, the fire team is using an aerial ignition device called a helitorch to burn the continuous fuels between the fire and the pre-determined containment lines.  The size of SWF107 will continue to increase over the next few days.  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 this wildfire.

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.


Smoke in the air

Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia is currently drifting 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. Find out the latest smoke update by visiting www.firesmoke.ca

Fire Permits

During the Fire Season a fire permit is required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area -excluding campfires. 

To obtain your free fire permit, please call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office:

  • Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 780-849-7377
  • Wabasca 780-891-3860
  • High Prairie 780-523-6619

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

Please do your part to prevent wildfires

Ride Debris Free

An Off-Highway vehicle exhaust can reach temperatures of over 200 degrees Celsius. That means it won't take long for that wet and muddy debris to dry up, start smoldering and fall onto the ground as you drive away. You can help reduce your chance of starting a wildfire by stopping frequently to remove any build up of debris from the hot spots on your machine.

Make Sure It's Out

A campfire left smoldering can cause a wildfire. Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's out. Soak it, stir up the ashes and soak it again. A campfire is out when the ashes are cool to the touch.
 
Wildfire Information 
 
Be sure to check www.albertafirebans.ca for the latest fire ban information in the province.
 
Click here to follow the Alberta Wildfire Blog.
 
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Connect with Alberta Wildfire on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.  
 
Get the most up-to-date wildfire information by downloading the free Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple devices.

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on August 18, 2017.

Shawna Lund

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780-805-4754

Email: shawna.lund@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)