Wildfire danger for Monday May 20th
The wildfire danger is EXTREME for the entire Slave Lake Forest Area as strong and gusty winds are expected again today.
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 Monday May 20th.
Smoky Conditions
The southeast wind has caused smoke from the wildfires along highway 754 to drift into Red Earth Creek area.
If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.
Wildfire Situation as of 11:00 am May 20th
There was one new wildfire last night and it is located north of Lubicon Lake. Airtankers fought the wildfire last night and this morning firefighters are working to contain the 0.3 hectare wildfire.
Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area there have been 56 wildfires and 16,862 hectares burned.
Photo of Slave Lake Wildfire Number 50 (foreground) and 49 (background) taken May 19 at 2:20 pm.
For the safety of our firefighters please obey reduced speed limits when traveling on Highway 754. Visit www511.ca for the latest road report.
McMillan Wildfire Complex
Slave Lake wildfires number 49 and 50 are north of Highway 754 at kilometre 30 and 43. These wildfires are approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Wabasca, 30 kilometres northeast of Marten Beach and 40 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake. To view the locations of these wildfires click here. These wildfires are not threatening communities.
With the strong winds yesterday wildfire number 49 experienced significant growth in a northwest direction.
Due to aggressive wildfire activity on wildfire number 49, firefighting operations are being reallocated to wildfire number 50 again today.
Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment made good progress on wildfire number 50 yesterday. At this time 30 per cent of the wildfire is contained. With the help of airtankers, heavy equipment built fire guard on the east and west side of the wildfire. Today firefighters are working to extinguish areas along the highway and to secure areas along the fire guards.
Wildfire number 49 is now 15,000 hectares and wildfire number 50 is 1,500 hectares.
Over 60 firefighters, 10 helicopters, various pieces of heavy equipment and four airtankers and their birddog plane are fighting these wildfires.
The cause of these wildfires is under investigation.
If you have any questions please call Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.
Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for your mobile device and check back frequently for updates. Click on the Slave Lake tab to access the wildfire update for the Slave Lake Forest Area.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.
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.
Weather
For Monday the temperature will be a high of 21 degrees and winds will be from the southeast 30 kilometres per hour gusting up to 50.
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.
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 20th.
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.
