Wildfire Hazard
Due to the cool weather and snow the wildfire hazard is LOW for the Slave Lake Forest Area.
Wildfire Situation Report
Since March 1, 2017, the Slave Lake Forest Areas has recorded two wildfires and the total area burned is 0.02 hectares. Both wildfires have been extinguished.
Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 71 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area and the total area burned is 442.85 hectares.
Click here to view the Wildfire Situation Report for Alberta.Fire Permit
Before you burn it get a fire permit. As of March 1st, fire permits are required for any burning (excluding campfires) in the Forest Protection Area.
To obtain your free fire permit call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office:
- Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 780-849-7377
- Wabasca 780-891-3860
- High Prairie 780-523-6619
Last year in Alberta, 60% of wildfires were caused by humans. Human caused wildfires are 100% preventable so please do your part to prevent wildfires this season.By getting a fire permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape and if you are burning without a fire permit your fire is considered a wildfire.
Winter Burning
If you have conducted any burning this winter, be sure to go back and check your winter burns to make sure they are extinguished. A fire left smouldering can burn under the snow all winter and emerge as a wildfire in the spring when conditions are warm and dry.
When checking your winter burning, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hot spots. Use your bare hand to feel for heat over the ash piles. If you see smoke or feel any heat, the fire is still burning beneath the surface. Douse any remaining hot spots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not completely extinguished until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes. Report your winter burns to Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Technologist Russell Murphy by calling 780-849-7457 or by email Russell.Murphy@gov.ab.ca
Click here for information on safe burning practices for brush piles and windrows.
Announcements
Firefighters Burning
Firefighters are taking advantage of the snow-free conditions and will be burning areas of dry grass in and around many communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area over the next several weeks. Burning helps to remove the dangerous build-up of dry grass that becomes prominent around many communities in the spring. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.
Better wildfire protection with funding boost
The Alberta government is providing $15 million a year for its FireSmart program, up from $3.8 million last year, to help communities boost their wildfire protection activities.
The FireSmart program will receive $45-million over the next three years, which includes $10.5 million for fire prevention work in the Fort McMurray area.
FireSmart is a nationwide program that helps municipalities and residents reduce the risk of wildfire in their communities. The funds will help communities develop tools and tactics such as:
- education
- vegetation management
- legislation and planning
- development considerations
- interagency co-operation
- emergency planning
Over the past five years, the provincial FireSmart program has invested over $35 million to help 95 communities develop FireSmart initiatives in their municipalities.
Enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act regulations include:
- New penalties for infractions such as leaving a campfire unattended or burning without a permit
- Restrictions on the use of fireworks or exploding targets in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta without written permission from a forest officer
- Improvements to flammable debris disposal and other industry-based requirements
Under the enhanced regulations individuals who knowingly contravene the act by starting a wildfire could face fines of up to $100,000 or face imprisonment and industrial users could be fined up to $1 million.
Effective May 1, officers will be authorized to issue tickets for contraventions, like leaving a campfire unattended. Depending on the infraction, individual fines for specific violations could result in tickets ranging from between $172 and $575.
Click here to find out what this means for Albertans.
Click here to find out what this means for Industry.
For more information on the Enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act Regulations click here.
Wildfire Information
Connect with Alberta Wildfire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Get the most up-to-date wildfire information by downloading the free Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple devices.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on May 1 , 2017.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945 Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)