Wildfire Hazard
Gusty winds and dry conditions have caused the wildfire hazard to climb to VERY HIGH for the Slave Lake Forest Area. Use caution as a wildfire will ignite easily and spread very quickly under windy conditions.
Click here to view today's wildfire hazard map.
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.
Fire permit holders be advised that you must postpone burning as the winds today will be outside your fire permit conditions.
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.
Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Pelican Mountain Prescribed Fire
Early next week, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry firefighters will be conducting a prescribed fire north of Kilometre 123 on the C-Road, approximately 12.5 kilometres southwest of Sandy Lake. Smoke will be visible at times but will be localized and short lived. Public roads and highways are expected to remain open; however traffic may be controlled along the C-Road.
Click here to view the Pelican Mountain Prescribed Fire Bulletin.
Weather
For today winds are expected to be gusting up to 35 kilometres per hour. The hot and dry weather is expected to continue for the next several days.
Wildfire Situation
11:00 am May 27th
Two new wildfires started yesterday afternoon. One is being held and the other is under control.
The wildfire located approximately 11 kilometres northeast of Chrystina Lake in the Swan Hills is being held at 1.56 hectares. There is one helicopter and eight firefighters working to extinguish this wildfire.
The wildfire located in the community of Red Earth Creek is under control at 0.34 hectares. There is one helicopter, four firefighters and the local fire department working to extinguish this wildfire.
The wildfire located approximately 30 kilometres south of Snipe Lake which started on May 23rd is under control and the accurately measured size is 38 hectares.There are 18 firefighters working to extinguish this wildfire.
Since March 1st, the Slave Lake Forest Area has recorded 26 wildfires and the total area burned is 44.39 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 28th, 2017.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Email: Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)