For today the wildfire hazard is HIGH to VERY HIGH for the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire hazard map.
Rain is in the forecast for the next several days however until rain is on the ground the conditions remain dry and the strong gusty winds today will cause a wildfire to spread very quickly.
Fire permit holders must postpone burning as the winds today will exceed the safe burning conditions on the fire permit.
Small campfires are allowed when winds are calm.
Use caution when working or recreating in the forest as under these windy conditions a wildfire will spread very quickly. 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
The forecast is calling for strong and gusty winds today. Winds will be from the east 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 35. Cooler temperatures and rain are expected for the next several days.
Smoke in the air
Smoke from wildfires in the United States and British Columbia 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.
Wildfire Situation as of September 18th, 2017 12:00 pm
There was one new wildfire on September 16th. It was small and quickly extinguished by firefighters. Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 123 wildfires, burning a total area of 17,710.44 hectares. Of the 123 wildfires, 122 have been extinguished and one (SWF107) is being held.
Slave Lake Wildfire 107 is located approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lakes and 112 kilometres northwest of Fort McMurray. Firefighters declared this wildfire being held at 17, 032 hectares on September 11th. Being held means under current weather conditions and firefighting resources this wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. Firefighters continue to extinguish smouldering ground fires along the edge of the wildfire. Click here to view map of SWF107.
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
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.
Wildfire Information
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on September 19, 2017.
If you have any questions please contact
Leah Lovequist
Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780-849-0945
Email: leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)