Wildfire Hazard
The Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area hazard continues to be Moderate thanks to lower temperatues and higher humidity.
Wildfire Update as of 2:30 pm July 19, 2015
Slave Lake Wildfire number 175 was a holdover lightning wildfire which was discovered on July 1st and is located 36 kilometers northeast of Peerless Lake and 33 kilometers west of Chipewyan Lakes. This fire is currently out of control at 8386.1 hectares. Two helicopters are bucketing on hotspots today.
Photo of SWF-175 from July 17, 2015
Slave Lake Wildfire number 163 which is located at approximately kilometer 25 on highway 754, 26 kilometers northeast of Marten Beach is currently out of control at 9,900 hectares. The dozer guard is complete and today crews are working on the north flanks, moping up and looking for hotspots. There are 14 helicopters with buckets and 148 firefighters working on this wildfire.
Aerial shots of SWF-163 by highway 754
Crew waiting for their transport to land
Slave Lake Wildfire number 140 was caused by lightning on June 30th and is located 60 kilometers north of Red Earth Creek. This fire is currently being held at 1916 hectares. One helicopter and 8 firefighters are working on this fire today.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 211 is currently being held at 473.3 hectares. This fire is located approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Red Earth Creek. Three dozer units are working on building a guard around this fire and full containment is almost complete.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 214 which is located between Graham Lake and Vandersteene Lake is currently being held at 124 hectares. Being held means, given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. Four helicopters with buckets and 40 firefighters continue to work on hotspots and securing the guard today. This fire is not threatening the community.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 207 which located 46 kilometers northwest of Peerless Lake is currently being held at 18 hectares. One helicopter with a bucket and eight firefighters are working on this fire today.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 217 is located 17 kilometers west of Chipewyan Lakes, and is now under control at 19 hectares. Currently, one helicopter with a bucket and 23 firefighters are actioning this wildfire. Under control means the wildfire is completely contained and will be extinguished.
Weather Forecast
The forecast for tomorrow is calling for temperatures in the low 20's. Winds to the north of Slave Lake will be from the southeast at 20 kilometers per hour. Winds to the south of Slave Lake will be from the southeast at 20 gusting to 35 kilometers per hour.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 223 wildfires that have burned a total of 22,329.4 hectares.
Fire Permits
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.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 20th.
Shawna Lund - Wildfire Information Officer
Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Shawna.lund@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.