Wildfire danger
The wildfire danger is Very High for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. Cool and humid conditions are expected for the Slave Lake Area, rain is expected for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake with scattered showers through areas to the north.
Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Friday.
To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.
To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca
Alberta Emergency Alert/Road Conditions
Evacuation and Alerts remain in place for communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area. 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 were no new wildfire starts today.
18 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 99 wildfires and 310,515 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.
McMillan Wildfire Complex
At this time, rain has not fallen on the fire, the weather system with rain is tracking south of Lesser Slave Lake. Airtankers were required along the southeast side of the fire to reduce fire behavior so heavy equipment could continue to build dozer lines along this area. Also, heavy equipment is building contingency dozer lines along the south side of the fire to ensure this area is secure. The fireline in the vicinity of Wabasca is in good shape and crews are continuing to patrol this area. With continued success in the Marten Lake Road area, fire crews are being deployed to the west side of the fire to lay hose lines along the fire perimeter to establish control lines.SWF-079 was active again today but was spreading east towards the main fire perimeter of SWF-049.
Excellent progress has been made on SWF-099 as crews have the fire 60% contained. The fire is classified as being held.
Structure protection is complete at Trout Lake, Wabasca and Marten Beach. FireSmarting 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 248,847 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-078 is 138 hectares and is classified as being held.
SWF-079 is 860 hectares and is classified as out of control
SWF-090 is 187 hectares and is classified as being held.
SWF-099 is 2 hectares and is classified as being held.
There are 366 firefighters and support staff, 38 helicopters, airtankers and 43 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.
An Alberta Wildfire Information booth is set up at the Calling Lake Evacuation Centre.
Weather
On Friday the temperature will be 7 to 11 degrees. Winds north of Lesser Slave Lake will be from the north 30 gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour. Winds south of Lesser Slave Lake will be from the northwest 30 gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour. The forecast is calling for a good chance of rain for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake.
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 and areas 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.
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 Area. The 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
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.
