Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update -  June 4th 8:00 pm

Posted on Tue, Jun 04, 2019

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Wildfire danger

The wildfire danger is High to Very High for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. 

Click here to view the wildfire danger map for today.

Firefighters are urging everyone to use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.

Fire Ban/OHV Restriction has been adjusted as of 4:00 pm today.

The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction has been lifted for parts of the Slave Lake Forest Area. The Town of Slave Lake, Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County have also lifted their Fire Ban/OHV Restriction.

The northern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area -areas north of Utikuma Lake, including Wabasca and to the north- remain under the Fire Ban and OHV Restriction.

To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca


Alberta Emergency Alert/Road Conditions

New Information Alerts have been issued for the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No.124 and Town of Slave Lake. For details visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca

For the most up to date information on road conditions visit www.511.alberta.ca


New Wildfire Starts

There was one new wildfire start today. It is under control and firefighters are working to extinguish it.

Eight firefighters and three helicopters continue to fight SWF-093 which is located 11 kilometres south of Chipewyan Lakes. It is classified as being held and is 98 hectares.

Since the start of the wildfire season on March 1st, there have been 98 wildfires and 308,269 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area. 

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here. 

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McMillan Wildfire Complex

Heavy equipment and firefighters continue to strengthen control lines along the east side of the fire near Wabasca to support this priority area of the fire. Crews are making great progress on the Marten Lake Road and have greatly reduced the fire’s activity on the southwest flank with the help of heavy equipment and bucketing helicopters.

With the return of sunny, windy weather, airtankers and bucketing helicopters were targeting areas with higher fire behavior on the west and south sides of the fire. The northeast side of the fire was quiet today with little fire behavior. SWF-090 responded well to bucketing helicopters over the last burning period and was not active today. Cool, wet weather is in the forecast for Thursday which will aid with fire suppression efforts.      

Structure protection is complete at Trout Lake, Wabasca and Marten Beach. Structure protection continues in Bigstone Cree First Nation.

The wildfires are: 

  • 4.9 and 3.3 kilometres west of Wabasca No. 166B and 166D
  • 26.5 kilometres northeast of Marten Beach
  • 32.8 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake
  • 9.3 kilometres southeast of Trout Lake 

SWF-049 is 246,603 hectares and is classified as out of control.

SWF-078 is 137 hectares and is classified as out of control.

SWF-079 is 860 hectares and is classified as out of control.

SWF-090 is 187 hectares and is classified as out of control.

There are 392 firefighters and support staff, 35 helicopters, airtankers, and 35 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this wildfire.

Click here to view a map of the McMillan Wildfire Complex.

Click here to view a map of the wildfires burning in Alberta.

Alberta Wildfire Information booths are set up in the following location;

Calling Lake Evacuation Centre


Weather

For Wednesday the temperature will be 15 degrees and winds will be from the northwest/west 15 kilometres. The forecast is calling for a good chance of rain for areas to the north.


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A Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remains in effect for the northern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area -areas north of Utikuma Lake, including Wabasca to the north. To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca

Prohibited

• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, back country and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.

• Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.

• Fireworks and exploding targets.
• The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands.
 
Allowed
 
• Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
 
• Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.
 
• Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.
 
• OHVs for industrial use, agricultural use, and traditional use by Indigenous peoples, as well as use on private lands.

To view a fact sheet on the OHV restriction click here

To view a fact sheet on the fire ban click here.

The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction has been lifted for southern parts of the Slave Lake Forest AreaThe Town of Slave Lake, Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County have also lifted their Fire Ban/OHV Restriction. To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca

Safe campfires are allowed. Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's extinguished. Soak it with water, Stir up the ashes and soak it again.

When riding your off highway vehicle, stop frequently to remove the build up of debris from your muffler.

Fire Permits are now being issued in parts of the Forest Protection Area in the Slave Lake Forest Area

Call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office to request a fire permit.

Slave Lake 780-849-7377

High Prairie 780-523-6619

 

 

 

If you have any questions please contact:

Leah Lovequist

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780-849-0945

Email:leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca

Keep up to date on the wildfire situation by subscribing to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update or download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple or Android devices.

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