Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger is High to Very High in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire danger map for today.
Under the dry conditions a fire will ignite easily and spread very quickly. Firefighters are urging everyone to use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.
The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in place for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. To view a map and details regarding the Fire Ban/OHV restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca
Weather
For today the temperature will be 20 degrees. Winds will be from the northwest 15-20 kilometres per hour. There is a chance of thundershowers with lightning today. A significant amount of rain is not expected.
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.
Wildfire Update
Since the start of the wildfire season on March 1st, there have been 104 wildfires and 264,008 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
New Wildfire Starts
There were two new wildfire starts last night.
SWF103 located near Lubicon Lake is under control and is 0.1 hectares. Firefighters are working to extinguish it.
SWF104 located in the community of Sucker Creek was fought by the local fire department and has been extinguished. It was 0.2 hectares.
SWF-102 is located 1.3 kilometres west of the Chip/Alpac Road at approximately kilometre 45. It started on June 9th. 23 firefighters, four helicopters and heavy equipment continue to fight this wildfire. It is 153 hectares in size and is classified as out of control.
Wildfire in Peace River Forest Area - 27 kilometres south of Cadotte Lake
Peace River Forest Area Wildfire Update June 12, 2019 -11 pm click here
PWF 076 was discovered just before noon today in the Cliffdale area (33 kms east of St. Isidore and 27 kms south of Cadotte Lake).
- This fire is now being held at 37 hectares in size thanks to the hard work of the numerous air tankers, helicopters, and firefighters that have been working on this fire today.
- Heavy equipment groups will be working overnight to surround this fire with dozer guard.
- A perimeter map is not currently available but will be shared as soon as possible.
- No communities are at risk at this time.
Provincial Wildfire Situation
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.
Click here to view a map of the wildfires burning in Alberta.
McMillan Wildfire Complex
Firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft continue fighting the McMillan Complex wildfires under challenging conditions. Of the five wildfires, two are under control and three are classified as out of control.
SWF-049 is 262,009 hectares and is classified as out of control. Due to accurate measurements the size has changed. The fire is 50% contained as of June 12th.
SWF-078 is 137 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-079 is 994 hectares and is classified as out of control.This fire is located 9.4 kilometres to the northwest of Wabasca No. 166C.
SWF-090 is 215 hectares and is classified as not under control.
SWF-099 is 2 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-049 Update
Firefighters continue to focus efforts on the east side of the fire, west of Bigstone Cree Nation and Wabasca.Firefighters are working to extinguish the fire 30 metres in from the edge.
There were scattered showers on parts of the fire but not over the entire fire area.
Firefighters continue to establish and work hose lines across the fire with a specific focus on areas of higher fire behavior especially in the southeast area of the fire. These areas will receive aggressive firefighting efforts from crews.
Heavy equipment is building dozer lines on the west side of the fire to help contain this area of the fire.
Helicopter bucketing and airtankers will be used as required today.
Structure protection remains in place in the communities of Trout Lake, Wabasca, and Bigstone Cree Nation. The structure protection branch has started removing sprinklers in the community of Marten Beach.
Firefighters with helicopters continue fighting SWF-079.
Great progress continues to be made on SWF- 078 and SWF-099 as all of these fires are under control.
There are 539 firefighters and support staff, 45 helicopters, airtankers, and 43 pieces of heavy equipment fighting the McMillan WIldfire Complex.
SWF-049 remains approximately:
- 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
Click here to view a map with imagery and click here for one without imagery of the McMillan Wildfire Complex.
A Wildfire Information Booth will be set up at the Lakeview Sports Centre in Wabasca on Thursday June 13th 9:00 am - 8:00 pm.
Click here to view information about BBQ planned for Friday June 14th.
The evacuation orders for Wabasca-Desmarais, Hamlets of Sandy Lake, and Chipewyan Lake, and all of Bigstone Cree Nation have been rescinded and the public can now return back to these areas. Residents must be prepared to evacuate on short notice, due to wildfire activity in the area. Keep up to date by visiting www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca
For the safety of our firefighters, please obey the reduced speed limit on the highways.Highway 813 from Wabasca to Sandy Lake is open. Highway 754 from Highway 88 to Wabasca is open. Expect delays due to traffic volume and reduced visibility in smoke.Speed reductions in effect. .View updates on highways by visiting 511.Alberta.ca or download the mobile app.
Smoky conditions are expected to continue in the Wabasca area.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 to view the air quality statement that has been issued.Click here for Alberta Health Services Information about Wildfire Smoke.
Structure protection equipment remains in place. Cick here for a message from the Fire Chiefs of the Wabasca and Bigstone Cree Nation Fire Departments regarding the fire fighting equipment that has been left in place.
The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in place for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. To view a map and details regarding the Fire Ban/OHV restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca
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.
