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 will be HIGH for northern areas in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Thursday.
Organized rain is expected to fall in the areas south of Lesser Slave Lake however, areas to the north will only receive light showers.
Strong and gusty winds are expected Thursday. Under the 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. Firefighters in helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to fight any new wildfires that may start.
At this time, 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 Thursday the temperature will be 13 degrees for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake and 19 degrees for areas to the north. Winds will be from the north 35 kilometres per hour gusting up to 65. A good chance of rain is expected for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake however only light showers for the northern areas.
Smoky conditions
The north winds are causing smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta 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 to view the air quality statement that has been issued. Click here for Alberta Health Services Information about Wildfire Smoke.
Wildfire Update
Since March 1st, there have been 117 wildfires and 277,538 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area. There was one new wildfire this afternoon. The wildfire was caused by lightning and is being held at 0.1 hectares.
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 of this wildfire was lightning.
The 8 hour evacuation alert was 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 - ignition burning on the north portion | 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 | 8:30 pm
SWF-049 remained active on the north and northwest portions of the fire, as the three fingers east and southeast of Trout Lake continued to experience moderate fire activity. Airtankers worked the edge near Hospital Creek and the northeast finger to limit further spread. Construction of dozer guard began along the northwest flank east of Trout Lake, which is expected to continue over the coming days.
All other areas within the fire’s perimeter are holding, with minimal hot spots identified.
Structure protection is being taken off the Wabasca area, as containment lines are holding well and showing limited fire activity.
Weather conditions for tomorrow will bring more winds, with temperatures reaching 18 degrees and a relative humidity of 35%. Winds will be from the northwest at 20km/hr., gusting to 35-55km/hr. As a result, residents in the Wabasca area may experience smoke passing through.
Aerial ignition was completed this evening to connect the two larger fingers to a lake in the north.
Did you know?
Depending on the situation, utilizing aerial ignition is an effective way of fighting fire. This tactic is used to burn off potential fuel between an existing fire and a body of water, making use of lakes, creeks and rivers as natural barriers to block the fire’s growth.
There are 549 firefighters and support staff, 45 helicopters, airtankers, and 59 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.