Wildfire Situation as of 12:00 pm July 1st
Last night lightning sparked thirty three new wildfires in the northern portion of the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Fourteen are out of control, four are being held, six are under control and nine have been extinguished. The majority of these wildfires are under half a hectare in size and the total area burned is estimated to be 117 hectares. Firefighters, airtankers and heavy equipment are fighting these wildfires and the cool and cloudy weather this morning is helping them make progress. Communities are not being threatened.
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 172 wildfires that have burned a total of 1334 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
HIGH to VERY HIGH wildfire hazard persists for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Use extreme 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.
Smoke
At this time, smoke from wildfires in High Level 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.
Weather Forecast
For today, the forecast is calling for warm temperatures, a chance of thundershowers and winds from the northwest 20 kilometres per hour.
Fire Permits
Happy Canada Day! Be sure to request your free fire permit if you plan on igniting fireworks in the Forest Protection Area.
The fire permit suspension has been lifted and new fire permits are being issued. However fire permits will not be issued for brush piles.Campfires are allowed and do not require a fire permit.
To request your free fire permit call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office.
Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless Lake/Trout Lake 780-849-7377
High Prairie 780-523-6619
Wabasca 780-891-3860
Fire permits help us track what is burning on the landscape. By getting a fire permit and following the fire permit conditions you help keep our firefighters free to fight new wildfires that may start.
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.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfires.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 1st.
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.