Wildfire danger for Tuesday May 21st
The wildfire danger is EXTREME for the entire Slave Lake Forest Area as strong and gusty winds are expected again on Tuesday.
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 Tuesday May 21st.
Smoky Conditions
The southeast wind has caused smoke from the wildfires along highway 754 to drift into northern communities.
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 4:00 pm May 20th
There was one new wildfire last night and it is located north of Lubicon Lake. Firefighters are fighting this wildfire and it is being held at 4.8 hectares.
There was one new wildfire this morning in the Faust area. The grass fire was quickly contained and has been extinguished. It was 9.7 hectares.
Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area there have been 57 wildfires and 16,875 hectares burned.
Slave Lake Wildfire Number 49 taken May 20th at 2:30 pm
Photo of Slave Lake Wildfire Number 50 May 20 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.
These wildfires are not threatening any communities.
Click here to view the updated map of these wildfires.
Slave Lake Wildfire 49
With the strong winds today the wildfire experienced significant growth in a northwest direction. Due to aggressive wildfire activity, firefighting operations were reallocated to wildfire number 50 again today. Last night the wildfire was measured and is 15,000 hectares. It will be measured again tonight as it has grown today.
Slave Lake Wildfire 50
Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make good progress fighting this wildfire. It is 45% contained and experienced very minimal growth today. Today firefighters are extinguishing the edges of the wildfire, helicopters are bucketing on hotspots and heavy equipment continue to build fire guard. Last night the wildfire was measured and 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 Tuesday the temperature will be a high of 19-23 degrees and winds will be from the southeast/east 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 21st.
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.
