At this time airtankers and firefighters with helicopters are fighting a wildfire 2 kilometres north of Slave Lake on Devonshire Road. Airtankers are being successful. The wildfire is 1.5 hectares. Not threatening homes or the community. Please stay clear of the area.
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 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 Tuesday May 21st.
Smoky Conditions
The southeast wind has caused smoke from the wildfires along highway 754 to drift into communities north of Lesser Slave Lake. 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 2:30 pm May 21st
Firefighters with helicopters are fighting two new wildfires one in Wabasca and one north of Spruce Point Park in the Kinuso area. The Wabasca wildfire is being held and the wildfire north of Spruce Point Park is burning into the lake thus no issues with containing it are anticipated. Both wildfires are 0.2 hectares in size.
There were no new wildfires last night. Firefighters are working on extinguishing the wildfire north of Lubicon Lake. Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area there have been 61 wildfires and 16,876 hectares burned.
On high 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.
Help from other provinces is on the way
Additional firefighters have been requested through mutual aid agreements with Ontario, Nova Scotia and BC. They are expected to arrive in Albert within the next 24 hours.
Slave Lake Wildfire Number 49 at 11:45 am on May 21st
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.
There is no threat to communities.
Click here to view the updated map of these wildfires.
Slave Lake Wildfire 49
The wildfire did experience some growth to the northwest with the strong winds yesterday. Today helicopters bucketing and airtankers are working the edges and firefighters are extinguishing the hotspots on the back end of the wildfire. Heavy equipment is starting to build fire guard on the south side. The wildfire is 15,000 hectares.
Slave Lake Wildfire 50
Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make good progress fighting this wildfire. It is 85 per cent contained by fire guard and experienced very minimal growth yesterday. Today firefighters continue to extinguish the edges of the wildfire, helicopters are bucketing on hotspots and heavy equipment are working to complete the fire guard. The wildfire is 1,500 hectares.
Over 120 firefighters,16 helicopters, various pieces of heavy equipment and five airtankers and their birddog planes 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 ADVISORY 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.
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.