Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area - May 29th 5:18 pm - Extreme Wildfire Danger

Posted on Wed, May 29, 2019

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Highway 754 from Highway 88 to Wabasca is closed due to

wildfire smoke.

Visit https://511.alberta.ca/#route or dial #511 for current

road conditions.

 

EVACUATION ALERT

Bigstone Cree First Nation is issuing an Evacuation ALERT as of

Wednesday May 29, 2019 at 4:00 p.m for Residents in Reserve B

and Reserve D resulting from a wildfire west of Bigstone Cree

Nation.

If you need more information call: 1 800 268 6783 phone lines

will be open until 10:00 pm daily.

Continue to Monitor The Bigstone FN Website at

www.bigstone.ca and Facebook Page Bigstone Evacuation page

for any updates and Download the Alberta Emergency Alert app 


Wildfire danger

The wildfire danger remains EXTREME for the entire Slave Lake Forest Area. Strong gusty winds are expected for today. Under these dry and windy conditions a fire will ignite easily and spread quickly. Smoky conditions in the Slave Lake Forest Area will persist over the next several days. Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Wednesday, May 29th.

Firefighters are urging everyone to use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.

A Fire Ban/OHV Restriction is in effect for the entire Slave Lake Forest Area. The goal of the ban and restriction is to reduce human caused wildfires which keeps our firefighters focused on the current wildfires and new wildfire starts. Firefighters thank you for your cooperation. 

To view a map of the fire ban/OHV restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca

To view a fact sheet on the OHV restriction click here

To view a fact sheet on the fire ban click here.


Smoky conditions

Smoke will continue to drift into the Slave Lake Forest Area over the next several days.

If you experience respiratory difficulties, visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.


Wildfire situation May 29th 12:00 pm 

may 28 swf69 afternoon

Photo of Maria Lake Wildfire taken on the afternoon of May 28th.

Maria Lake Wildfire (Slave Lake Wildfire Number 69)

Slave Lake Wildfire Number 69 is located 14 kilometers southeast of Trout Lake. The wildfire experienced some growth yesterday afternoon, on the east section of the fire. Most of the growth observed yesterday occurred away from the community of Trout Lake. There were six helicopters bucketing and airtankers fighting the wildfire. Their efforts were focused on the north and northwest section of the fire.The wildfire is 2,088 hectares. 

For today, the temperature is expected to reach 30 degrees with winds out of the west and southwest at 20 to 25 kilometres per hour with wind gusts up to 30. 

There are 68 firefighters and incident management team members, six helicopters and airtankers fighting this wildfire.

Peerless Trout First Nation is on Evacuation Alert. Click here for information.

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Photo of firefighters from various parts of Canada working together on the McMillan Wildfire Complex

McMillan Wildfire Complex (Slave Lake Wildfire Number 49 and 50)

Slave Lake Wildfire Number 49 -This wildfire was active in the mid-east to northeast flanks yesterday and did experience growth. It remains on the west side of Mistehae Lake.  Helicopters with buckets and firefighters will work the south flank up to the east and west edges. Ignition opportunities are being considered for the west flank to further secure the perimeter. Dozer groups continue to establish a defense line around the wildfire, focusing on the northeast flank, the power line that runs north on the east side of Mistehae Lake, and the south end to secure the fire north of the highway. The updated size of the wildfire is 74,506 hectares. Click here to view the most current map as of 11:00 am May 29th.

The forecast high for today is 28 – 30 degrees with winds from the west/northwest at 15 kilometres per hour gusting up to 25. Temperatures will increase throughout the day before a cold front approaches bringing drier air and increased wind. This front is expected to reach the fire at approximately 6:00 pm.

Slave Lake Wildfire Number 50 - Was declared being held on Monday. Being held means under the current wildfire conditions and firefighting efforts the wildfire is not expected to grow. A fire guard has been built around the entire wildfire. The wildfire is 1,457 hectares.

300 personnel including firefighters and support staff are working to fight these wildfires, along with 24 helicopters and 51 pieces of heavy equipment. An incident management team of fire experts are managing this complex.

At this time, the McMillan complex wildfires are not threatening communities. 


Wildfire information

Download the free Alberta Wildfire app and click on the Slave Lake label to view the wildfire update for the Slave Lake Forest Area. To subscribe to the wildfire update click here, enter your email and choose instant. 


Slave Lake Forest Area wildfire stats

Since the start of the wildfire season on March 1st, there have been 75 wildfires and 78,390 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

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


Weather

For Wednesday the high will be 28-30 degrees and winds will be from the west/northwest 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 35.


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.


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FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT 

A fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction is in effect for the entire Slave Lake Forest Area and other parts of Alberta. 

The Town of Slave Lake, Big Lakes County and Town of High Prairie have issued a fire ban and OHV restriction.

To view a map of the fire ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca

To view a fact sheet on the OHV restriction click here

To view a fact sheet on the fire ban click here.

Prohibited

• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, back country 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.

AW-FireBan App Call to action FB-FINAL

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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