Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update - September 7, 2017 5:00 pm

Posted on Thu, Sep 07, 2017

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Smoky conditions are expected to continue for the Chipewyan Lakes community and surrounding area. 

Cool temperatures overnight will cause the smoke from SWF107 to hang low to the ground and drift into the community of Chipewyan Lakes and the surrounding area. The smoky conditions will improve once the sun rises causing the ground to heat up and the smoke to rise.

If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811.

This wildfire remains approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lakes and is not threatening the community.

If you have any questions please call

Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.

 


Wildfire Hazard September 8th, 2017

The wildfire hazard for the Slave Lake Forest Area remains VERY HIGH.  Click here to view the wildfire hazard map for Friday.

Use caution when working or recreating in the forest. Under these dry conditions, a fire will ignite easily and spread quickly with the wind. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

Do your part to prevent wildfires! Never leave your campfire unattended, make sure it's out and when riding your off highway vehicle stop frequently to remove the build up of debris.


Weather

On Friday, the forecast is calling for temperatures of 19 to 21 degrees and winds from the north/northwest 15 to 20 kilometres per hour. There is a chance we will see rain on Friday night and Saturday.


Smoke in the air

With southwest winds expected, smoke from wildfires in the United States and British Columbia will 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.


Wildfire Situation as of September 7th, 2017 11:00 am

The two small wildfires that occured yesterday have been extinguished by firefighters. There have been no new wildfires today.  Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 122 wildfires, burning a total area of 11,727.43 hectares. Of the 122 wildfires, 121 have been extinguished and one is classified as out of control (SWF107).

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Photo of SWF107 September 7th at 4:21 pm Aerial ignition operation taking place on south end of the wildfire.

Slave Lake Wildfire 107 is located approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lakes and is not threatening the community. The wildfire experienced minimal growth today as winds from the southwest caused the wildfire to burn into itself. In preparation for the north winds tomorrow, firefighters are using an aerial ignition device to burn on the southwest side of the southern portion of the wildfire. The size of the aerial ignition area is approximately 500 hectares. The current size of this wildfire is 11, 891 hectares.

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Current map of SWF107

Click here to view map as a .pdf

Since this wildfire occurs in a zone where it does not threaten communities or resources it is being 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.

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


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.

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Take the time to understand the New regulations before heading out this hunting season.  


 

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 September 8th, 2017.

Leah Lovequist

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780-849-0945

Email: leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)