Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake WMA blanketed by heavy smoke today. Highway 754 remains closed.

Posted on Sun, Jul 12, 2015

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Local Smoke

Smoke from wildfires burning across western Canada is forecast to continue to impact Albertans. There are over 100 wildfires burning in the province. No communities are threatened. Anyone with smoke-related health concerns is encouraged to call Alberta Health Link at 8-1-1. Track smoke forecasts here: http://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/BSC00WC04/current/

 

 754Photo of Highway 754 July 10th at 6:00pm

 

Due to smoky conditions and poor visibility Highway 754 remains closed. For information on the road closure check 511 Alberta's Official Road Reports.

 

For information on local wildfires and localized smoke, please call 1-866-916-INFO

 

Wildfire Situation as of 6:00 pm July 12th

 

In the last 24 hours, there have been 5 new wildfires.  Four have been extinguished, and one is being held at .01 hectares.

Fireweb_map_July_12 

 

Slave Lake Wildfire number 163 started on June 30 and is located at approximately kilometer 25 on highway 754, 26 kilometers northeast of Marten BeachThis fire experienced minimal growth today.   Dozers continue working on building a guard around the south side of the fire.  Over one hundred firefighters and support personnel are working on slowing the spread of this fire. This wildfire has burned 8931 hectares.

Fire_from_Marten_BeachMap of SWF-163 from July 12th.

 

Slave Lake Wildfire number 140 was caused by lightning on June 30th and is located 60 kilometers north of Red Earth Creek. Helicopters with buckets have been working on this fire, and it is being constantly monitored by air.  This wildfire has burned 1916 hectares. 

Slave Lake Wildfire number 175 was a holdover lightning wildfire which was discovered on July 1st and is located 36 kilometers northeast of Peerless Lake. Firefighters and helicopters continue to fight this wildfire. This wildfire has burned 4647 hectares.

Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 203 wildfires that have burned a total of 16,971.76 hectares.Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment continue to fight three out of control wildfires burning in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Communities are not being threatened.
 
For information on the wildfires burning in Alberta visit the Wildfire Status Map at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App.

 

FWI_Map_July_13

 

Wildfire Hazard

The wildfire hazard for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area is moderate with rain forecast for many parts of the area in the coming days.

 

Weather Forecast

The forecast for tomorrow is calling for widespread showers and continued thundershowers with temperatures in the mid 20's.  The winds will be from the northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.  With thunderstorms comes an increased risk of lightning started wildfires.  Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).  Even though there has been some rain, the ground and trees are still dry.  

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A FIRE ADVISORY for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area is in effect as of 10:00 am July 2. Existing permits are suspended and no new permits will be issued. Exceptions are burn barrels, smudges, sweat lodges and smokehouses.These will be allowed. A valid permit is required and conditions must be followed. Safe campfires are allowed in backyards, campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas.

Fire works in the Forest Protection Area are not allowed at this time. 

Check www.albertafirebans.ca for up to date information on the fire advisory.

We thank you for your cooperation. Abiding by the fire advisory you help keep our firefighters free to fight existing wildfires any new wildfires that may start.

 

Help prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle

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When riding your off-highway vehicle be sure to stop often and clean any debris from the hotspots. Unchecked, the debris can build up, begin to smolder and fall away sparking a wildfire. Click here to learn how you can prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle. 

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 12th.

Shawna Lund - Wildfire Information Officer

Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area 
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945 
Shawna.lund@gov.ab.ca 
To report wildfires call 310-FIRE

For information about wildfires in Alberta follow us on Twitter @ABGovWildfire or Facebook. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.