Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update - June 17th 2:00 pm

Posted on Mon, Jun 17, 2019

 

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widewater fire

Airtankers are fighting a new wildfire approximately 2 kilometres south of the hamlets of Canyon Creek and Widewater. The wildfire is 3.0 hectares in size. It is moving in a northern direction. 

For evacuation information please visit:https://emergencyalert.alberta.ca/alerts/2019/06/6889.html

 


The wildfire danger has climbed to VERY HIGH/EXTREME in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire danger map for today.

Very warm temperatures and strong winds are expected today. Under these dry and windy 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.

There is a chance of thunderstorms with lightning this afternoon/evening. Firefighters in helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.

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 28 degrees. Winds will be from the southeast 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 40. There is a chance of thunderstorms with lightning this afternoon/evening.

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 113 wildfires and 266,266 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

New Wildfire Starts

There was one new wildfire last night. SWF-113 is located 22 kilometres northeast of Red Earth Creek. Airtankers successfully knocked down the open flame and the wildfire is under control.The wildfire is 0.7 hectares. There are eight firefighters and a helicopter working to extinguish it. 

SWF-109 started on June 14th and is located eight kilometres northeast of the town of High Prairie.The wildfire is classified as under control and is 2.0 hectares. Nine firefighters with a helicopter are working to extinguish it.

SWF-102 started on June 9th and is located 1.3 kilometres west of the Chip/Alpac Road at approximately kilometre 45. It is 193 hectares in size and classified as under control. There are 16 firefighters and three helicopters are working to extinguish it.

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 16 firefighters and two 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.


Firefighter+hose line

Unless conditions change, updates on the McMillan Wildfire Complex will be provided daily at 12:00 pm.

McMillan Wildfire Complex – June 17 12pm

Yesterday was another good day for firefighters, as fire behaviour remained low over most portions of the fire. Crossover conditions are expected to occur again today, with temperatures reaching 27 degrees and a relative humidity of 25-30%. Winds will be out of the southeast at 20km/hr, reaching gusts of 35km/hr. This will mean the winds will be pushing smoke to the northwest, away from Wabasca and surrounding communities. However, communities in Trout Lake and Peerless Lake may experience smoke passing through.

With the increased fire behaviour expected, today will be a good test of the established dozer guard and containment lines that firefighters, heavy equipment and air support have put in place. There is potential for the north and west portions of the fire to experience some growth today, as containment within those areas is still being consolidated.

A 4-hour evacuation alert is in place for Bigstone Cree Nation Reserves B and D in the Wabasca area. For more information, visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca or the MD of Opportunity Emergency Management Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MD-of-Opportunity-No-17-Emergency-Management-1791455711074682/).

When traveling on roads and highways in the Wabasca area – you will see areas of smoldering ground fires. These smoldering ground fires do not pose a threat. We are continually monitoring the perimeter in that area and have firefighters, heavy equipment and air support ready to respond at any time.

For your safety and the safety of our firefighters please stay away from the burned areas and follow the reduced speed limit on Highway 754. This is still an active wildfire area. Roots from burned trees are compromised and can fall without any wind.

Crews will continue to work along the eastern edge of the fire northwest of North Wabasca Lake with support from helicopters and heavy equipment building dozer guard.

Dozer guard is almost complete along the southwest portion of the fire. These crews will continue working along identified priority areas in that zone.

As we continue to work towards containment, laying hose across key areas and extinguishing all hot spots 30 metres in from the fire perimeter will 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.

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!

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.


wildfire ahead

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. Click 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

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A Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction is in effect for the High Level Forest Area, the majority of the Peace River Forest Area, the upper portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area and small areas in the western portions of the Lac La Biche and Fort McMurray Forest Areas.
 
Prohibited
• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry 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.
 
The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.
 
Visit www.albertafirebans.ca to view map and details.
 
Click here for the fire ban fact sheet.
 
Click here for the OHV restriction fact sheet.

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Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be June 18th.
 
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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