Very warm temperatures are expected for Sunday. The wildfire danger will be HIGH to VERY HIGH in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view wildfire danger map for Sunday.
We have yet to receive a good amount of rain that will bring long term relief to the dry conditions in the forested areas.
Thundershowers with lightning are expected to move through the area over the next 24 hours. Firefighters in helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
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 Sunday the temperature will be 26 degrees. Winds will be from the southeast 10 kilometres per hour. There is a chance of thundershowers with lightning over the next 24 hours. 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 112 wildfires and 266,265 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
New Wildfire Starts
There was one new wildfire starts today. The wildfire was quickly contained and firefighters are working to extinguish it.
SWF-109 started late yesterday afternoon and is eight kilometres northeast of the town of High Prairie. Airtankers were very successful in knocking down the open flames. The wildfire is classified as under control and is 2.0 hectares. Firefighters are working to extinguish it.
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 193 hectares in size and was classified as under control tonight.
SWF-090 started on June 2nd and is located 18 kilometres northeast of Trout Lake. It is 187 hectares and classified as under control. There are 12 firefighters and three helicopters working to extinguish it.
For information about the wildfire in Peace River Forest Area - 27 kilometres south of Cadotte Lake click here
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.
Unless conditions change, updates on the McMillan Wildfire Complex will be provided daily at 12:00 pm.
McMillan Wildfire Complex
We have been lucky enough to receive support from firefighters and support staff from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Parks Canada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. Thank you to everyone who has assisted in our operations; the support has been incredible!
Another good day for firefighters as decreased fire behaviour and weather conditions continue to work in their favour. Some rainfall hit the fire today, but only in certain areas along the central portion. Tomorrow the fire is expected to experience some crossover conditions. Temperatures are expected to hit 26 degrees with a relative humidity of 25%, meaning there could be an increase in fire behaviour. Winds will be from the south/southeast, so communities in Trout Lake and Peerless Lake may experience smoke passing through.
Minimal fire activity occurred today as crews continue working along the eastern edge northwest of North Wabasca Lake. Along the south portion of the fire, firefighters quickly worked on identified hotspots, supported by helicopters bucketing.
Firefighters continue to focus efforts along the eastern side of the fire to the west of Bigstone Cree Nation and Wabasca. Progress continues to improve with firefighters receiving support from helicopters and heavy equipment as they look to tie in areas along that side.
Crews and helicopters are also working on the north side of the fire to limit spread to the north and west.
Laying hose across identified areas and extinguishing all hot spots 30 metres in from the fire perimeter continues to remain a priority.
Structure protection remains in place in the communities of Trout Lake, Wabasca, and Bigstone Cree Nation.
There are 555 firefighters and support staff, 44 helicopters, airtankers, and 41 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this wildfire.
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
Of the three wildfires in the McMillan Complex, two are under control and one is out of control. SWF-049 has burned into SWF-079 as these fires were in close proximity to each other.
Note: wildfire sizes are subject to change as more accurate readings of the perimeter become available.
SWF-049 is 265,245 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-078 is 137 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-099 is 2 hectares and is classified as under control
Click here to view a map with imagery and click here for one without imagery of the McMillan Wildfire Complex.
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.
