Wildfire danger
The rain we received last night was scattered with light amounts. Click here to view the precipitation map for the past 24 hours. More rain is in the forecast for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake. Until rain is on the ground the wildfire danger will remain HIGH to EXTREME for the Slave Lake Forest Area.
Click here to view the wildfire danger map for today.
The Fire Ban/OHV Restriction remains 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 and information about 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.
Firefighters are urging everyone to use caution and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.
Keep up to date by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert App or visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca
For road conditions visit www.511.alberta.ca
Smoky conditions are expected
Over the next several days wildfire smoke will continue to drift into the Slave Lake Forest Area.
If you experience respiratory difficulties, visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.
Click here for Alberta Health Services Information about Wildfire Smoke.
New Wildfire Starts
Firefighters, helicopters and airtankers are fighting ten new wildfires caused by the lightning last night. These wildfires are not threatening communities. Eight of the wildfires are small and firefighters are working to extinguish them.
SWF-090 is 19 kilometres northeast of Trout Lake. Under west winds the wildfire is spreading away from the community. Currently the size is 100 hectares.
SWF-093 is located 11 kilometres south of Chipewyan Lakes. Under the west winds the wildfire is spreading away from the community. Currently the size is 20 hectares.
Since the start of the wildfire season on March 1st, there have been 95 wildfires and 216,989 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.
Wildfire Update McMillan Complex
These wildfires experienced minimal perimeter growth today, but did put up smoke columns from cutblocks and spruce stands. These are pockets of unburned fuels within the perimeter. These columns were SW of Wabasca, parallel to the C Road and offer no threat to any communities.
There was also some fire activity in the space between the two major fires SWF-049 and SWF-069. They have now joined and will be SWF-049 going forward, Branch I in the north and Branch II on the south.
Firefighters are supporting dozers, ignition specialists on the west side of Wabasca. The Structural Protection Branch continues with operations, assisted by fire fighters with vegetation mitigation around the structures to protect them from ember transfer in the building perimeter. Ten structures on the west side of the community are set-up with sprinkler systems.
Structure protection is complete at Trout Lake and Marten Beach.
Five kilometers of dozer guard are completed on the west side of Wabasca. Dozers continue to secure the east to west flank on the south side of SWF-049. The perimeter north of highway 754, on the west flank is now holding in the old burn up to Britnell Lake.
Dozer guard was constructed on the southwest side of SWF-049, south of highway 754, supported with aerial ignition burnout.
The wildfires are:
- 6.1 and 4.5 kilometres west of Wabasca No. 166B and 166D
- 26.5 kilometres northeast of Marten Beach
- 33.5 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake
- 9.3 kilometres southeast of Trout Lake
SWF-049 is 155,967.9 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-069 (formerly Maria Lake Wildfire) is 58,579 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-078 is 162 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-079 is 355 hectares and is classified as out of control.
There are 346 firefighters and support staff, 24 helicopters, and 60 pieces of heavy equipment fighting these wildfires.
Wildfire information booths have been set up in the community of Calling Lake and at the Walmart in Slave Lake.
Click here to view a map of the wildfires burning in Alberta.
Weather
For Monday the temperature will be 16 degrees and winds will be from the southwest 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 40. Rain is in the forecast for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake.
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.
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
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.
