Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update  May 23, 2017

Posted on Tue, May 23, 2017

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Wildfire Hazard

Overall, the wildfire hazard for the Slave Lake Forest Area is HIGH. However, areas to the west of Lesser Slave Lake are at VERY HIGH. Click here to view the wildfire hazard map for May 23rd. Conditions in the forest are dry and a wildfire can spread quickly under windy conditions. Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473). This reporting line is answered 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Please do your part to prevent wildfires while working or recreating in the forest. Make sure your campfire is out and when riding your off highway vehicle stop frequently to remove the build up of debris around the machine's hotspots. 

In response to the 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. 

 

Weather

For today the forecast is calling for warm temperatures in the mid twenties and winds from the southeast 15 kilometres per hour. with a chance thunderstorms with lightning later today. Widespread rain is expected on Wednesday.

 

Wildfire Situation

Over the long weekend there were ten new wildfires which burned just over two hectares. Of the ten new wildfires nine have been extinguished and one is under control. Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 22 wildfires and the total area burned is 3.48 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 or outside your fire permit conditions, 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 FacebookTwitter 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 24th, 2017.

 

Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780.849.0945

Email: Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)