Wildfire Hazard
The wildfire hazard remains VERY HIGH for areas in the northern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area. Areas around Lesser Slave Lake are at LOW to MODERATE.
VERY HIGH - Wabasca, Red Earth Creek, Chipewyan Lakes, Trout Lake, Peerless Lake and Loon Lake
Click here to view today's wildfire hazard map.
Strong and gusty winds are occurring again today. Use caution and postpone any burning as the strong and gusty winds will cause a wildfire to spread very quickly. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473)
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 very high wildfire hazard, personnel in the fire towers are constantly watching for smoke and firefighters with helicopters, airtankers and various pieces of heavy equipment are stationed in the area, ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
Weather
Winds will be gusting up to 40 kilometeres per hour today. Warm and dry weather is expected for the next several days.
Wildfire Situation
There was one new wildfire yesterday and it has been extinguished. The wildfire located approximately 30 kilometres south of Snipe Lake which started on May 23rd remains being held and the accurately measured size is 38 hectares. Being held means the wildfire is not growing under current weather conditions. There are 24 firefighters working to extinguish this wildfire.
Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 24 wildfires and the total area burned is 42.49 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 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 26th, 2017.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Email: Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)