Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Area Wildfire Update - August 23, 2017

Posted on Wed, Aug 23, 2017

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Wildfire Hazard August 23, 2017

The current wildfire hazard is HIGH however rain is in the forecast for the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire hazard map for Thursday. 

Rain is expected to begin tonight and continue into Friday. The temperatures will be cooler and winds will be strong and gusty.

Until rain is on the ground the wildfire hazard will remain HIGH. Please supervise all fires and completely extinguish them before leaving the site and as always, help us get to wildfires quickly by calling 310-FIRE to report wildfires.


Wildfire Situation as of August 23rd, 2017 5:00 pm.

There have been no new wildfires in the past 24 hours. Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 115 wildfires, burning a total area of 8, 244.87 hectares. Of the 115 wildfires, 114 have been extinguished and one is being held.

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

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Photo of SWF107 August 21st at 11:48 am

Slave Lake Wildfire number 107 is located 50 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lakes.This wildfire is currently classified as ‘Being Held' at 7,558 hectares. Being held means that given the current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.  


Smoke in the air

Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia and the United States may drift into the Slave Lake Forest Area. Find out the latest smoke update by visiting www.firesmoke.ca If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. 


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 24th, 2017.

Shawna Lund

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780-805-4754

Email: shawna.lund@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)