Smoke in the air
Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia has drifted into the Slave Lake Forest Area. If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Find out the latest smoke update by visiting www.firesmoke.ca
Wildfire Hazard
The wildfire hazard remains HIGH for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. Click here to view the wildfire hazard map.
Areas north of Lesser Slave Lake have not received rain recently and conditions are dry. Use caution when working and recreating in the forest. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473)
Wildfire Situation as of July 11th at 11:00 am
There have been no new wildfires in the past 24 hours.
Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 68 wildfires, burning a total area of 652.91 hectares.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.
Firefighters on HIGH Alert
In response to the HIGH wildfire hazard and increased chance of wildfires caused by lightning, the fire towers are constantly watching for smoke, firefighters with helicopters, airtankers and various pieces of heavy equipment are stationed throughout the area ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
Help keep our firefighters free to fight lightning caused wildfires by doing your part to prevent human caused 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.
Weather
For today temperatures are cooler and winds are from the southwest/northeast 10 kilometres per hour. There is a good chance we may see thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
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 12th , 2017.
Leah Lovequist - Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780-849-0945
Email: Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)