Wildfire Hazard
Warm and sunny weather is expected again today. The wildfire hazard has climbed to VERY HIGH in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire hazard map for May 22nd.
In response to the very high wildfire hazard, all 20 of our personnel in the fire towers are constantly watching for smoke and firefighters with helicopters, airtankers and various pieces of heavy equipment are stationed throughout the area, ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
Make sure your campfire is out
There have been ten new wildfires over the long weekend in the Slave Lake Forest Area. The majority of these wildfires were human caused. Human caused wildfires are 100 per cent preventable. Please do your part to prevent wildfires.When leaving your campsite today, ensure your campfire is out. A campfire left smouldering can caused a wildfire. To ensure your campfire is out soak it with water, stir up the ashes and soak it again, the ashes must be cool to the touch.
Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473). This reporting line is answered 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Weather
For today the forecast is calling for warm temperatures in the mid twenties and winds from the southwest 20 kilometres per hour.
Wildfire Situation
There were four new wildfires yesterday and one this morning. Three have been extinguished and two are under control. The wildfire northeast of Gods Lake which started on May 21st is under control and firefighters continue to work on extinguishing it. Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 22 wildfires and the total area burned is 3.20 hectares.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.
Fire Permits
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.
Do your part to prevent wildfires
A campfire left smouldering can cause a wildfire. Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's out. This video shows you how to make sure your campfire is out.
Your off-highway vehicle can start a wildfire. Check your off-highway vehicle frequently for any smouldering debris. Grass, muskeg, moss or other debris can drop to the ground as you're riding and spark a wildfire.This video shows you how to ride debris free.
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 23rd, 2017.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Email: Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)