Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger remains Very High to Extreme for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake, and High to Moderate for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake.
Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Tuesday.
The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in place for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca
To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.
Smoky conditions are expected to continue.
Click here to view the air quality statement that has been issued.
If you experience respiratory difficulties, visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.
Click here for Alberta Health Services Information about Wildfire Smoke.
Wildfire Update
Since the start of the wildfire season on March 1st, there have been 102 wildfires and 264,498 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area. The area burned has been updated today to reflect fires that have been merged into the McMillan Complex.
New Wildfire Starts
There were no new wildfire starts today.
Active Wildfires
SWF-102 is 80 hectares in size and is being fought by 26 firefighters and 3 helicopters. It is located 1.3 kilometres west of the Alpac Chip road at about kilometre 45.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.
McMillan Wildfire Complex
Today the south end of the fire received a small amount of rain. Crews, heavy equipment, bucketing helicopters and airtankers were able to knock down open flame and build fire guard around the southeast side of the fire which has active for the past few days.
Firefighters continue to support heavy equipment along the south side of the fire to reinforce their dozer lines with the help of airtanker support.
Good progress is being made on the east side and west side of the fire as crews continue to lay hose to the north.
An active area of the fire near Sawle lake received aggressive suppression efforts, greatly reducing fire behavior.
In the northwest area of the fire, crews are cutting helipads to improve access to these portions of the fire. Firefighters are also focused on the very northwest point of the fire and began laying hose along this area.
Airtankers continued to support the northeast flank of the fire today immediately west of SWF-079 to reduce fire behavior along the fire perimeter. Following this crews were sent in to lay hose and establish control lines.
Firefighters and airtankers continue to fight SWF-079.
Aggressive air attack on SWF-090 greatly reduced its fire behavior today.
Great progress continues to be made on SWF- 078 and SWF-099 as both of these fires are under control.
Structure protection remains in place in Trout Lake, Wabasca, Bigstone Cree First Nation and Marten Beach.
Click here to view information regarding structure protection retention from the Fire Chiefs of the Wabasca and Bigstone Cree Nation Fire Departments.
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 262,622 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-078 is 137 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-079 is 993 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-090 is 190 hectares and is classified as not under control.
SWF-099 is 2 hectares and is classified as under control.
There are 542 firefighters and support staff, 44 helicopters, airtankers, and 43 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this wildfire.
Click here to view a map with imagery and here for one without imagery 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.
Alberta Emergency Alert and Road Closures
The communities of, Hamlet of Wabasca, Bigstone Cree Nation - Wabasca # 166, and Chipewyan Lake Village remain under an evacuation order, however conditions have improved. Heavy smoke is in the area and there are road closures due to the wildfires. Additional information for residents can be found at the MD of Opportunity Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/MD-of-Opportunity-No-17-Emergency-Management-1791455711074682/
Highway 754 from Highway 88 to Wabasca is closed.Highway 813 from Wabasca to Sandy Lake is closed.
For the most up to date information on road conditions visit www.511.alberta.ca
Weather
For Tuesday the temperature is forecast to be 22 degrees. Winds are predicted to be southwest 15-20 kilometres per hour. The forecast is calling for widely scattered showers and thunderstorms later in the day.
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
• 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 southern 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.
