Wildfire Hazard
The wildfire hazard will be LOW with areas of MODERATE south of Lesser Slave Lake and around Wabasca. For areas around High Prairie the hazard is HIGH. The wildfire hazard is expected to climb due to the warm weather forecasted for the weekend.
Click here to view the wildfire hazard map.
While out enjoying this Canada Day long weekend, please do your part to prevent wildfires. Make sure your campfire is out and when riding your off -highway vehicle stop frequently to remove the build up of debris around your machine's hotspots.
Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473)
Weather
Warm weather and light winds are expected for the weekend. There is a chance of thundershowers on Sunday and possibly Monday. Winds may become strong and gusty during these storms.
Wildfire Situation as of 4:00 pm June 30th, 2017
Firefighters continue to make good progress on the three wildfires burning in the Slave Lake Forest Area. One is under control and two are being held.
Slave Lake Wildfire Number 51 and 52 - These wildfires were sparked by lightning on June 26th and are located in the Otter Lakes area, approximately 25 kilometres north of Little Buffalo.Wildfire number 51 which is 133 hectares is under control and wildfire number 52 which is 150 hectares remains being held. Being held means under the current weather conditions and with the firefighting efforts being applied, the wildfire is not expected to grow. There are 81 firefighters with four helicopters working on these wildfires.
Slave Lake Wildfire Number 49 - This wildfire was started on June 25th and is located 5 kilometres east of Highway 88, approximately 42 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The cause of this wildfire was lightning. The wildfire is 320 hectares in size and remains being held. Being held means under the current weather conditions and with the firefighting efforts being applied, the wildfire is not expected to grow. There are 46 firefighters with three helicopters working on this wildfire.
There were no new wildfires today. Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 62 wildfires, burning a total area of 653.48 hectares.
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
Did you know? 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 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
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on July 3rd , 2017.
Leah Lovequist - Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780-849-0945
Email: Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)