Evacuation Information
Peerless Trout First Nation
Protecting human life and structures remains a top priority. As a result, an evacuation order has been placed on Peerless Trout First Nation. For more information, visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Emergency Alert app. You can also visit www.facebook.com/peerlesstroutfirstnation/ for further community updates.
Bigstone Cree Nation
A 4-hour evacuation alert remains 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/).
Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger remains VERY HIGH to EXTREME in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Wednesday.
Strong and gusty winds are expected for Wednesday. 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 again on Wednesday. Firefighters in helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
We have not received enough rain to bring long term relief to the dry conditions.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 Wednesday the temperature will be 15 to 19 degrees. Winds will be from the northwest 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 35. There is a chance of thunderstorms with lightning.
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 March 1st, there have been 115 wildfires and 275, 896 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area. There were no new wildfire starts today.
Photo of SWF114 at 2:56 pm Tuesday June 18th.
SWF-114 located south of the hamlets of Canyon Creek and Widewater remains being held. Being held means under the current weather conditions and firefighting efforts, the wildfire is not expected to grow. A fire guard has been built around the 14 hectare wildfire.
Today, 16 firefighters and three nodwells made good progress extinguishing ground fires along the fire guard. The cause is under investigation however, lightning had occurred in the area a few days ago.
The evacuation has been lifted for Canyon Creek and Widewater. An 8-hour alert remains in effect. Click here to view the information alert and visit the MD of Lesser Slave River Facebook Page for more information.
SWF-109 started on June 14th and is located eight kilometres northeast of the town of High Prairie.The wildfire was extinguished at 5:10 pm today.
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. Firefighters continue to patrol this wildfire.
SWF-090 started on June 2nd and is located 18 kilometres northeast of Trout Lake. It is 187 hectares and classified as under control. Firefighters continue to patrol this wildfire.
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.
McMillan Complex - northwest portion near Trout Lake | June 18, 2019
Click here to view a map with imagery and click here for one without imagery of the McMillan Wildfire Complex.
McMillan Complex update - June 18 | 9:00 pm
The McMillan Complex experienced moderate fire behaviour today along the north and northwest sections of the fire. The three excursions from yesterday were slightly active, producing small hot spots at the head of the fire, which were successfully actioned by crews, airtankers and helicopters. This area received minimal rainfall, keeping the fire active and smoky. The focus will remain on the finger closest to the community of Trout Lake. Dozer guard is being built along the northeast finger to limit the fire’s spread into surrounding structures and communities.
Weather for tomorrow looks favourable. Temperatures are expected to reach 17 degrees with a relative humidity of 40% and winds coming from the northwest at 25km/hr, gusting to 40km/hr. As a result, the Wabasca area may experience smoky conditions. Thursday will bring slightly warmer conditions, reaching 22 degrees and a relative humidity of 35%. Winds will be from the north at 30-35km/hr, gusting to 50km/hr. Smoke should decrease towards the Wabasca area, but may be visible in communities to the south.
Strong work from firefighters, heavy equipment and air support has kept the rest of the fire’s perimeter quiet. Crews continue to tighten up containment lines as tomorrow’s predicted wind shift will test the existing southeast boundaries.
Did you know?
In wildfire terms, a finger refers to the spread of a fire in a linear direction, extending off from the main body of the fire. These fingers have the potential to create rapid spread, but provide an opportunity to redirect or guide the fire away from priority areas.
The head of the fire refers to the fastest spreading part of the fire’s perimeter, and usually is of primary interest.
The fire will be scanned again tonight to determine hot spots and identify where efforts need to be focused for firefighters, air support and heavy equipment.
There are 545 firefighters and support staff, 45 helicopters, airtankers, and 62 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!
The McMillan Complex 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
- 6 kilometres southeast of Trout Lake
Of the four wildfires in the McMillan Complex, three 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 274,861 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-090 is 187 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-078 is 137 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-099 is 2 hectares and is classified as under control.
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
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.
