Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update 6:00 pm May 18th - Extreme Wildfire Danger - Fire Ban/OHV Restriction has been issued for northern Alberta

Posted on Sat, May 18, 2019

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Wildfire situation as of 6:00 pm May 18th

Firefighters and helicopters are fighting a grass fire along highway 88, south of Marten Mountain Tower Road. The fire is 0.2 hectares and helicopters are bucketing on it.It is now being held. Being held means it is not expected to spread based on the weather and firefighting that is been applied.

Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are fighting two wildfires at approximately kilometre 30 on Highway 754. The wildfires are classified as out of control and are 50 and 251 hectares in size.  

Visit www511.ca for the latest road reports.

Download the free Alberta Wildfire app on your mobile device to view locations of the wildfires and check back frequently to the Alberta Wildfire app for updates. To view update click on the Slave Lake tab on the map.

If you have any questions please call Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.

Wildfire danger for Saturday May 18th

The wildfire danger will climb to EXTREME for the entire Slave Lake Forest Area due to the strong and gusty winds expected on Saturday May 18th.

Under these extremely dry and windy conditions a fire will burn intensely 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.

Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Saturday May 18th.

FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT 

A Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction has been issued in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta for most of northern Alberta, including the Fort McMurray Forest Area south of Lake Athabasca, the Lac La Biche Forest Area, the northern regions of the Slave Lake Forest Area, most of the Peace River Forest Area and all of the High level Forest Area.
 
To view the map of the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca
 
Within the Slave Lake Forest Area the following communities are under the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction; Wabasca, Sandy Lake, Loon Lake, Red Earth Creek, Peerless Lake, Trout Lake and Chipewyan Lakes. 
 
Within the MD of Lesser Slave River the following communities are under the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction; Smith, Flatbush, Hondo and Chisholm.
 
For all other areas in northern Alberta visit www.albertafirebans.ca to view map.
 
For more information regarding the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction call 1-866-FYI-FIRE.
  
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All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued.
 
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.

Weather

For Saturday the temperature will be a high of 15-19 degrees and winds will be from the southeast 30 kilometres per hour gusting up to 55.

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On alert

Fire lookouts are on high alert constantly watching for smoke and firefighters in helicopters, various pieces of heavy equipment and airtankers are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.

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Do your part to prevent wildfires this spring. 

When riding your off highway vehicle stop frequently to remove any build-up of debris from the hot spots on your machine. An off-highway vehicle exhaust can reach temperatures of over 200 degrees Celsius. That means it won't take long for that wet and muddy debris to dry up, start smouldering and fall to the ground as you drive away.

Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's out. Soak it with water, stir up the ashes and soak it again. A campfire is out when the ashes are cool to the touch.

Unless the situation changes your next wildfire update will be issued on May 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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