Slave Lake Area Update

Highway 754 remains closed due to very smoky conditions. VERY HIGH hazard today.

Posted on Mon, Jul 06, 2015

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Photo of Highway 754 at 11:30 am July 6

Due to smoky conditions and poor visibility Highway 754 remains closed. For information on the road closure check 511 Alberta's Official Road Reports.

 

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Wildfire Situation as of 2:00pm July 6th

There was one new wildfire reported last night. Firefighters quickly contained the small grass fire north of Kapawe'no First Nation 150B. It is under control and firefighters are working to extinguish it.

We have four out of control wildfires burning in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Communities are not being threatened. Firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment continue to fight these wildfires.

 Photo of SWF 140 at 1:14 pm July 6th

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Slave Lake Wildfire number 140 was caused by lightning on June 30th and is located 60 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek.This afternoon fire behavior has increased and this wildfire is growing to the south. Highway 88 is not being threatened. Firefighters in helicopters are monitoring this wildfire. This wildfire is 1753 hectares. 

Slave Lake Wildfire number 142 was caused by lightning on June 30th and is located 26 kilometres northeast of Peerless Lake. This wildfire was accurately measured to be 47.4 hectares. 16 firefighters and two helicopters are fighting this wildfire.

Photo of SWF163 at 5:30 pm July 5th

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Slave Lake Wildfire number 163 started on June 30 and is located north of kilometre 20 on highway 754. This morning this wildfire was measured to be 1909 hectares. At this time, airtankers are fighting this wildfire and dozers continue to build guard. Fire guard has been built around 85 per cent of this wildfire. There are thirty six firefighters working with nodwells to secure the dozer guard around the wildfire. Due to smoky conditions and very poor visibility Highway 754 remains closed. For information on the road closure check 511 Alberta's Official Road Reports.

Photo of SWF175 at 1:30 pm July 6th

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Slave Lake Wildfire number 175 was a holdover lightning wildfire which was discovered on July 1st and is located 36 kilometres northeast of Peerless Lake. This wildfire was accurately measured and is 4647.1 hectares. Fire behavior has increased this afternoon and this wildfire is spreading in a northeast direction. This wildfire is being monitored by aircraft. 

Check the Alberta Wildfire App or click here for the location and status of these wildfires. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.

Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 188 wildfires that have burned a total of 10,118.06 hectares.

For information on the wildfires burning in Alberta visit the Wildfire Status Map at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App.

 

Wildfire Hazard

With strong and gusty winds forecasted for today, the wildfire hazard will be VERY HIGH for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management AreaUse caution while out enjoying our forests and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473). The forests are very dry and under windy conditions a wildfire will spread very quickly.

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Weather Forecast

The forecast for today is calling for warm temperatures, a chance of thundershowers and strong and gusty winds in the afternoon. With a cold front moving into the area tomorrow afternoon the winds will be from the north 25 gusting up to 45 kilometres per hour.

Smoke

Smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories is drifting into the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Anyone with health concerns should check the Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24/7 health advise from health link Alberta. For a smoke forecast map please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.

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A FIRE ADVISORY for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area is in effect as of 10:00 am July 2. Existing permits are suspended and no new permits will be issued. Exceptions are burn barrels, smudges, sweat lodges and smokehouses.These will be allowed. A valid permit is required and conditions must be followed. Safe campfires are allowed in backyards, campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas.

Fire works in the Forest Protection Area are not allowed at this time. 

Check www.albertafirebans.ca for up to date information on the fire advisory.

We thank you for your cooperation. Abiding by the fire advisory you help keep our firefighters free to fight existing wildfires any new wildfires that may start.

Thanks for doing your part to help prevent wildfires.

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Soak it, Stir it up and Soak it Again 

Make sure your campfire is out. Soak it thoroughly, stir it up and soak it thoroughly again. Hold your hand above the ashes to check for heat.  Click here to learn how you can make sure your campfire is out.

Help prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle

When riding your off-highway vehicle be sure to stop often and clean any debris from the hotspots. Unchecked, the debris can build up, begin to smolder and fall away sparking a wildfire. Click here to learn how you can prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle. 

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 6th at 8:00 pm.

Leah Lovequist- Wildfire Information Officer

Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area 
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945 
Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca 
To report wildfires call 310-FIRE

For information about wildfires in Alberta follow us on Twitter @ABGovWildfire or Facebook. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.