Slave Lake Area Update

Wildfire Danger Revised- May 8th

The rain received overnight and cooler temperatures expected this weekend have brought down the wildfire danger. The wildfire danger is currently MODERATE for the Slave Lake Forest Area. 

The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in effect. Implementing a Fire Ban and OHV Restriction are part of a number of actions the department has introduced to help mitigate wildfire risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking action in advance to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires will allow Alberta Wildfire to make the best possible use of resources when the availability of firefighters could be reduced because of the pandemic.

Firefighters appreciate your cooperation with these measures and your efforts to prevent human-caused wildfires.

Weather

The forecast for today is calling for a high of 16 degrees and winds from the north 20 kilometres per hour. There is a slight chance of rain expected. Cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain are expected for the weekend. 

Wildfire Update - May 8, 2020

There was one new wildfire detected last night. Firefighters from Faust, Kinuso and Alberta Wildfire responded to a vehicle fire and grass fire along Highway 2 by Kinuso. Firefighters quickly contained and extinguished them.

Since March 1 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 14 wildfires which have burned a total of 3.54 hectares. 

The McMillan Wildfire which occurred during the 2019 wildfire season, remains under control and will be infrared scanned this spring.

Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 127 wildfires burning a total of 60.85 hectares.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.

Off-Highway vehicle restriction in effect

An OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) of Alberta in the High Level Forest Area, Peace River Forest Area, the northwestern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area and the rural areas surrounding Fort McMurray.

OHV RESTRICTION MAP

MINISTERIAL ORDER

What is an OHV

An “off-highway vehicle” is a motorized vehicle designed to go beyond defined roadways, including but not limited to:Quads, Side by sides, Dirt bikes, 4x4 Jeeps, Pick-up trucks, Sport utility vehicles and snowmobiles.

Prohibited

The recreational use of OHVs on public lands, including designated OHV trails.

Exceptions to the OHV restriction

• Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.

• Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.

• Off-highway vehicle use is permitted on private lands.

• An Off-highway vehicle restriction exemption is also in place for those licenced for the spring black bear hunt.

Fire Ban in effect

There is a fire ban in effect for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, as well as in Alberta provincial parks and protected areas, until further notice.

FIRE BAN MAP

FIRE BAN FACT SHEET

MINISTERIAL ORDER

Fire permits are suspended or cancelled. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, but will need to be approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited
• wood campfires on public lands
• wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
• backyard firepits
• barbeques with charcoal briquettes

Allowed
• propane / natural gas powered appliances
• open flame CSA approved oil devices
• wood fires in an enclosed facility or device, which have a chimney with a spark arrestor


** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An enclosed facility or device is one that is fully contained with a chimney that has a spark arrestor. Users are still responsible for care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans. Approved activities or devices will not prevent potential prosecution or litigation if the user or device starts a wildfire.

• Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Fire Bans
• FireSmart in Alberta
• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• Air Quality Health Index
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
• 511 Road Reports
• Emergency Preparation
  

 

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• Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
• Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.