Wildfire danger
The wildfire danger for the Slave Lake Forest Area has climbed to HIGH.
The dead dry grass will ignite easily and a fire will spread very quickly. Use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).
Firefighters on alert
In response to the HIGH wildfire danger, the fire towers are constantly watching for smoke and firefighters with helicopters and an airtanker are on alert ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
This photo was taken Sunday April 29th by firefighters during the prescribed grass burn in Wabasca. Flames on the prescribed grass burn reached heights of two metres and the grass fire was spreading at at rate of five metres per minute. Use caution in areas of dry grass as they will ignite easily and a fire will move very quickly. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3743).
Firefighters burning grass
Over the next several weeks, firefighters will be burning areas of dry grass in and around many communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Burning removes the dangerous build-up of dry grass that becomes prominent in the spring.If you have any questions please feel free to contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.
For locations of grass burning check the Slave Lake Forest Area update on the Alberta Wildfire App or click here.
This evening Firefighters will be burning grass in Joussard, in Canyon Creek along the railroad tracks and in Slave Lake along Highway 2, behind Sawridge Estates and along the spillway.
Weather
Today's forecast is calling for temperatures of 12- 15 degrees Celcius and winds from the west/southwest 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.
Wildfire Situation as of 10:30 am Sunday April 30th
There was one new wildfire yesterday afternoon in the community of Sandy Lake. Local fire department firefighters and wildland firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the 0.3 hectare grass fire.
Since March 1, 2018,the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded eight wildfires that have burned a total of 1.98 hectares.
Do your part to prevent wildfires this spring
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 smouldering and fall to the ground as you drive away. You can help prevent 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 with water, stir up the ashes and soak it again. A campfire is out when the ashes are cool to the touch.
Fire permits are required
Fire permits are required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area. A campfire does not require a fire permit.To request a free fire permit contact your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office.
Slave Lake/Red Earth/Trout/Peerless/Loon 780-849-7377
Wabasca 780-891-3860
High Prairie 780-523-6619
Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape. If you're burning without a fire permit or outside 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.
Keep up to date on the wildfire situation by subscribing to the Slave Lake Forest Area wildfire update or download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple or Android devices.
Leah Lovequist
Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780-849-0945
Email: leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)