Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update June 21 | 6:00pm

Posted on Fri, Jun 21, 2019

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SWF-049 is now BEING HELD

Due to the extremely hard work from firefighters, pilots, heavy equipment operators and other support staff involved in the response effort, SWF-049 within the McMillan Complex is now listed as ‘being held’. This means that given current weather conditions and resources, this wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.

Did you know?
Even though the fire is now listed as being held, parts of it within the interior may still grow and show some signs of smoke. As a result, a large firefighting operation will remain to ensure the safety and protection of people, property and resources.

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Cool and damp weather is expected to continue over the fire. Tomorrow we can expect temperatures of 22 degrees with a relative humidity of 35-40% and winds coming from the north/northwest at 15-20 km/hr. Sunday should bring much of the same, reaching 18 degrees and a relative humidity of 50-55%. Winds will shift slightly, coming from west/northwest at 15-20 km/hr. gusting up to 35 km/hr.

Unless conditions change, the next update will be issued on Monday, June 24th.

If you have any questions please contact:

Matt Bell

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 587-986-4985

Email: matt.bell@gov.ab.ca

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Evacuation Information

Peerless Trout First Nation

The emergency order for Peerless Trout First Nation has been cancelled, and residents in the Trout Lake area can now return home. For more information and to follow updates, visit the Peerless Trout First Nation Facebook page.


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Wildfire Danger

Much needed rain has fallen in the Slave Lake Forest Area.The wildfire danger is LOW. Click here to view the wildfire danger map. 

The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction remains in effect for the High Level Forest Area, the majority of the Peace River Forest Area, and the upper portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area.

To view a map and details regarding the Fire Ban/OHV restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca.

Firefighters thank you for abiding by the Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction

Several factors are considered when deciding whether to implement or remove a fire ban or off-highway vehicle restriction. While weather is certainly a large part of this consideration, it is not the lone determining factor. Consideration is also given to the amount of resources available in the area and throughout the province to fight any new wildfires that may occur.

Right now, the majority of the resources are currently deployed on the large, out of control wildfires throughout the province. The fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction greatly reduces the likelihood that these resources would need to be pulled away from these priority wildfires in order to fight new wildfires that could have otherwise been prevented.

Smoke

Northern 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 for Alberta Health Services on information about wildfire smoke.

Weather

Temperatures on Saturday will be 19 degrees and winds out of the north/northwest at 10-15 km/hr. Sunday will bring similar conditions, with a temperature of 19 degrees and a chance of thunderstorms. Winds will remain from the north/northwest at 15-20 km/hr.


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Photo of SWF-120 lightning caused wildfire.

Wildfire Update

There have been no new wildfires today.Since March 1st, there have been 121 wildfires and 274,082 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

SWF-114 located south of the hamlets of Canyon Creek and Widewater is under control. 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.

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.

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McMillan Complex - one of the many Indigenous crews taking a well-deserved break from the fire line.

Click here to view a map with imagery and click here for one without imagery of the McMillan Wildfire Complex.

McMillan Complex update - June 21 | 12:00 pm

Over the last several weeks, hundreds of Indigenous firefighters have assisted in the McMillan Complex. Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work in keeping communities safe!

Fire activity remains minimal, as cooler temperatures and scattered rainfall continues. Although this is helpful to overall suppression efforts, fire behaviour can shift quickly depending on weather conditions.

Fireguard operations continue in the north as heavy equipment crews look to wrap up the two larger fingers near Hospital Creek.

Structure protection cleanup and storage organization continues in the Wabasca area as fire activity remains limited in that zone.

Today the fire is expected to reach temperatures of 19 degrees with a relative humidity of 50-55%. Winds will remain from the northwest at 20km/hr., gusting to 35km/hr. Residents in the Wabasca area may still experience some smoky conditions as smoke may also be travelling through from the High Level area.

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 have received 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 273,045 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 was extinguished yesterday.


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.

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A Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction is in effect for the High Level Forest Area, the majority of the Peace River Forest Area and the upper portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area.
 
Prohibited
• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry 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.
 
Visit www.albertafirebans.ca to view map and details.
 
Click here for the fire ban fact sheet.
 
Click here for the OHV restriction fact sheet.

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If you have any questions please contact:

Matt Bell

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 587-986-4985

Email: matt.bell@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.