Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update- July 28th 9pm

Posted on Thu, Jul 28, 2022

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Wildfire Danger 

The wildfire danger is forecasted to be very high in the Slave Lake Forest Area for Friday. Very warm temperatures are expected and thunderstorms with lighting will be moving through the area in the afternoon.

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). 

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On Alert

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

Wildfire Situation

Photo: SWF090 on July 28 at 5:30 pm Water skimming airtankers dousing flames.

Lightning sparked five new wildfires this evening.

SWF090 located approximately 4.5 kilometres east of Peerless Lake is classified as burning out of control. Airtankers were successful in slowing the spread. Airtankers doused the open flames and laid fire retardant around the majority of the wildfire's edge. Once the smoke cleared the accurate size was measured to be 9.7 hectares.  At this time there are 13 firefighters with two helicopters working on the wildfire.The wildfire is not threatening the community.

SWF091 located approximately 29 kilometres east of Utikuma Lake is classified as burning out of control. There are eight firefighters and a helicopter working on the 0.31 hectare wildfire.

SWF092 and SWF093 located approximately 88 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek are classified as being held. Airtankers were successful in slowing the spread and there are eight firefighters with two helicopters working on these wildfires. These wildfires are 0.8 and one hectare in size.

SWF094 located approximately 32 kilometres southwest of Chipewyan Lakes is classified as burning out of control. It is 0.51 hectares in size and there are eight firefighters with four helicopters working on it.

SFW078 which started on July 17th is located 35 km northeast of Chipewyan Lake and 100 km northwest of Fort McMurray. The wildfire is under control. Firefighters continue to patrol the interior of the wildfire looking for smouldering ground fires. There are 49 firefighters with four helicopters working on this 1336.9 hectare wildfire.

Since January 1st, 2022 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 94 wildfires which have burned 1873.62 hectares. 

Since January 1st, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 716 wildfires which burned a total of 102,371.27 hectares.  

To view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit Wildfire Status | AAF - Agriculture and Forestry (alberta.ca). 

fire advisory wide

A fire advisory is in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area due to the increasing wildfire danger and the forecasted weather.

 Under this advisory:

 Fire permits for fireworks and heavy fuel burning, including machine-piled brush piles and windrows are suspended and new permits for these types of burns will not be issued.

 All active fire permits remain valid and new fire permits may be issued 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

*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring.

They are required to:

  1. a)   be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;
  2. b)   have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
  3. c)   have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. 

The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Visit www.albertafirebans.ca to view a map of the fire advisory area.

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.

Join the conversation on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

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Updates will be provided weekly when the wildfire danger is low to moderate and daily when the wildfire danger reaches high to extreme. 

Unless conditions change you can expect your next wildfire update on July 29th.

If you have any questions please contact:

Leah Lovequist

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile:780-849-0945

Email:leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca

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