Wildfire danger
The wildfire danger for the Slave Lake Forest Area is EXTREME.
With the lack of rain this spring, conditions in the forest are extremely dry. A wildfire will ignite easily and spread very quickly under these current conditions.
Use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).
A Fire Advisory for the Slave Lake Forest Area remains in effect. Fire permits are cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued. Safe campfires are allowed.
For up to date information on the wildfire situation subscribe to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update or download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple or Android devices.
Firefighters on alert
New wildfires may occur as there is a good chance we will see lightning later today and tomorrow.
In response to the EXTREME wildfire danger, fire towers are constantly watching for smoke and firefighters with helicopters, various pieces of heavy equipment and five airtankers are stationed in the area, ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
Smoky Conditions
The southeast winds are causing smoke from wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area to drift into Wabasca. If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.
Photo of Slave Lake Wildfire Number 42 May 22nd
Wildfire Situation 3:00 pm Wednesday May 23rd
Firefighters are keeping a close eye on the areas where lightning struck during recent thunderstorms. It can take a few days or more for a lightning caused wildfire to emerge.
SWF042 There was one new wildfire yesterday. Firefighters on aerial patrol spotted the lightning holdover wildfire and quickly extinguished it.
SWF041 The lightning caused wildfire from May 21st located south of Pelican Lake is under control and was accurately measured at 1.4 hectares.
Since March 1, 2018, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 44 wildfires that have burned a total of 60.18 hectares.
To view the locations of wildfires in Alberta visit www.wildfirestatus.alberta.ca
This morning airtankers departed from the Slave Lake Airtanker base to help fight wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. For more information on the wildfire situation in Lac La Biche click here.
May 23rd update from Lac La Biche
Wildfire near Rock Island Lake
LWF -099, east of Rock Island Lake, is out of control at just under 3500 hectares. This fire grew to the north today and is currently about 32 km to Sandy Lake and 24 km to Calling Lake. Air tankers worked on this fire all day today. There were no ground crews on the fire as it was too dangerous. The photo below gives you an idea of where the fire is. If you look closely you can see a different colored area to the northwest of the fire. This is an old burn site from 2009 and it should help to slow the fire down or stall the fire, allowing us to get ahead of it.
A Fire Restriction is now in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area, Town of Slave Lake, Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County.
Click here for the Fire Restriction Fact Sheet.
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For more information visit albertafirebans.ca or download the new Alberta Fire Bans app for Android or Apple devices.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. By following the fire restriction, you help keep our firefighters free to fight the wildfires we cannot prevent.
Weather
Today the forecast is calling for a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, relative humidity of 20 per cent and winds from the southeast 15 to 20 kilometres per hour. There is a good chance we may see lightning today and tomorrow.
The crossover conditions today will cause a wildfire to exhibit extreme fire behavior. Crossover occurs when the relative humidity (moisture in the air) is equal to or less than the air temperature.
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.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on May 24th, 2018.
Leah Lovequist
Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780-849-0945
Email: leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca
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.
