Evacuation Information
Peerless Trout First Nation
Protecting human life and structures remains a top priority. As a result, an evacuation order has been placed on Peerless Trout First Nation. For more information, visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Emergency Alert app. You can also visit www.facebook.com/peerlesstroutfirstnation/ for further community updates.
Bigstone Cree Nation
A 8-hour evacuation alert is in place for Bigstone Cree Nation Reserves B and D in the Wabasca area. For more information, visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca or the MD of Opportunity Emergency Management Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MD-of-Opportunity-No-17-Emergency-Management-1791455711074682/).
Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger remains VERY HIGH to EXTREME in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Wednesday.
Strong and gusty winds are expected today. Under these dry and windy conditions, a fire will ignite easily 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.
There is a chance of thunderstorms with lightning again today. Firefighters in helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
We have not received enough rain to bring long term relief to the dry conditions.The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in place for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. To view a map and details regarding the Fire Ban/OHV restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca.
Weather
For Wednesday the temperature will be 15 to 19 degrees. Winds will be from the southwest 20 kilometres per hour shifting to northwest 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 35. There is a chance of thunderstorms with lightning.
Smoky conditions are expected to continue. Click here to view the air quality statement that has been issued. If you experience respiratory difficulties, visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.
Wildfire Update
Since March 1st, there have been 116 wildfires and 277,538 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area. There was one new wildfire start last night. The wildfire was quickly contained and extinguished by firefighters.
Photo of SWF114 at 2:56 pm Tuesday June 18th.
SWF-114 located south of the hamlets of Canyon Creek and Widewater has been declared as under control by firefighters at 11:30 this morning. Firefighters with nodwells will continue to patrol this 15.3 hectare wildfire looking for smouldering ground fires to extinguish. The cause is under investigation however, lightning had occurred in the area a few days ago. The size change of the wildfire is due to more accurate mapping.
The 8 hour evacuation alert has been lifted for Canyon Creek and Widewater. Click here to view the information alert and visit the MD of Lesser Slave River Facebook Page for more information.
SWF-102 started on June 9th and is located 1.3 kilometres west of the Chip/Alpac Road at approximately kilometre 45. It is 193 hectares in size and classified as under control. Firefighters continue to patrol this wildfire.
SWF-090 started on June 2nd and is located 18 kilometres northeast of Trout Lake. It is 187 hectares and classified as under control. Firefighters continue to patrol this wildfire.
For information about the wildfire in Peace River Forest Area which is 27 kilometres south of Cadotte Lake click here.
Provincial Wildfire Situation
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.
Click here to view a map of the wildfires burning in Alberta.
Keep up to date on the current wildfire situation visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca and follow Alberta Wildfire on Facebook and Twitter.
McMillan Complex - north/northwest portion near Trout Lake | June 19, 2019
Click here to view a map with imagery and click here for one without imagery of the McMillan Wildfire Complex.
McMillan Complex update - June 19 | 1:00 pm
Cooler conditions should help reduce fire behaviour today. Temperatures are expected to reach 19 degrees with a relative humidity of 45%. Winds will be coming from the northwest at 20km/hr., meaning the southeast portion of the fire may experience smoky conditions.
Dozer guard is being built around the fingers in the north/northwest section of the fire.
Structure protection is being taken off the Wabasca area, as containment lines are holding well and showing limited fire activity.
Crews, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment will continue tightening up containment lines and securing the fire’s perimeter.
Did you know?
Over 170 km of containment line has been established on this complex.
There are 549 firefighters and support staff, 45 helicopters, airtankers, and 62 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this wildfire.
We have been lucky enough to receive support from firefighters and support staff from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Parks Canada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. Thank you to everyone who has assisted in our operations; the support has been incredible!
The McMillan Complex remains approximately:
- 9.4 kilometres north of Wabasca No. 166C
- 4.9 and 3.3 kilometres west of Wabasca No. 166B and 166D
- 26.5 kilometres northeast of Marten Beach
- 32.8 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake
- 6 kilometres southeast of Trout Lake
Of the four wildfires in the McMillan Complex, three are under control and one is out of control. SWF-049 has burned into SWF-079 as these fires were in close proximity to each other.
Note: wildfire sizes are subject to change as more accurate readings of the perimeter become available.
SWF-049 is 276,502 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-090 is 187 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-078 is 137 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-099 is 2 hectares and is classified as under control.
For the safety of our firefighters, please obey the reduced speed limit on the highways. Highway 813 from Wabasca to Sandy Lake is open. Highway 754 from Highway 88 to Wabasca is open. Expect delays due to traffic volume and reduced visibility in smoke.Speed reductions in effect. View updates on highways by visiting 511.Alberta.ca or download the mobile app.
Smoky conditions are expected to continue in the Wabasca 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 to view the air quality statement that has been issued. Click here for Alberta Health Services Information about Wildfire Smoke.
Structure protection equipment remains in place. Click here for a message from the Fire Chiefs of the Wabasca and Bigstone Cree Nation Fire Departments regarding the fire fighting equipment that has been left in place.
The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in place for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. To view a map and details regarding the Fire Ban/OHV restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca
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.