Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update- July 21, 2022

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger is forecasted to be very high in the Slave Lake Forest Area for Friday July 22nd.

Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating in the forested areas. Under the dry conditions a fire will ignite easily and spread quickly. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

Fire lookouts are on alert watching for smoke and firefighters in helicopters and airtankers are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.

Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3743)

fire advisory wide

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, the Fire Advisory will stay in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Under this advisory:

Fireworks and all heavy fuel burning, including machine-piled brush piles and windrows are suspended.

A forest officer may issue new fire permits for light fuels on a site-by-site basis after an inspection. Essential burning of larger fuels may be permitted at the discretion of a forest officer.

What is allowed:

Safe wood campfires in campgrounds (within fire rings), backyards, or random camping areas
Barbeque - Charcoal briquettes
Portable propane fire pits
Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Wildfire Situation

There were no new wildfires today.

Wildfire SWF078 was detected on July 17 and is classified as out-of-control. It is estimated to be 1,336 hectares (ha) in size and is located 35 km northeast of Chipewyan Lake and 100 km northwest of Fort McMurray. This wildfire was caused by lightning. There is no threat to any community at this time.

An Incident Management Team, helicopters and heavy equipment are assigned to this wildfire. A group of 40 firefighters arrived today from British Columbia and will start working on the fire tomorrow.

Minimal fire activity was observed on SWF078 today. Wind from the northeast and some rain is expected this evening.

Wildfire SWF079 is currently being actioned by the Slave Lake Forest Area. It is 11.2 ha and classified as under control. Eight wildland firefighters and two helicopters are working on this fire.

SWF078 July 21, 2022 (2)

Wildfire SWF078 showed minimal fire activity on July 21, 2022.

Since January 1st, 2022 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 85 wildfires which have burned 1751.2 hectares.

Since January 1st, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 662 wildfires which burned a total of 97,947 hectares.

FIREPERMIT

Fire Permits

From March 1st to October 31st, a fire permit is required for any type of outdoor burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta with the exception of a campfire for cooking or warming. Fire permits help ensure that when smoke or fire is reported, firefighters can determine whether this is a wildfire or a permitted burn.

Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.

Fire permits can also be requested by calling your local Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Office.

Red Earth/Slave Lake (780) 849-7377

High Prairie (780) 523-6619

Wabasca (780) 891-3860

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Prevent Wildfires

The majority of wildfires so far this season have been human caused. Human caused wildfires are preventable. When working or recreating in the outdoors please do your part to prevent wildfires.

When riding your off-highway vehicle stop frequently to remove any build-up of debris from your machine. Grass, muskeg, moss or other debris can begin to smoulder and drop to the ground as you're riding and spark a wildfire. Always carry firefighting equipment - a shovel, extinguisher and bucket when you ride.

When having a campfire, keep it small, safe and always attended. When you are leaving your site or headed to bed, your campfire must be extinguished. Soak it, stir up the ashes, soak it again to ensure it is out.

Wildfire Dashboard

*New* Wildfire Dashboard

The new wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the province, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more. The dashboard builds on the former wildfire status map by displaying the most frequently accessed information in one convenient location.

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Wildfire Information

Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device.

Available for Apple and Android.

Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.

Subscribe to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update to receive an email when new information is posted.

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