Wildfire Hazard for Sunday June 7th
Warm weather and winds have caused the wildfire hazard to climb to VERY HIGH - EXTREME in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. EXTREME - High Prairie, Kinuso, Wabasca,Trout Lake and Peerless Lake. The forest is very dry and a fire will spread very quickly under windy conditions.
Help prevent wildfires this weekend. While 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 OHV.
Use extreme caution while out enjoying our forests and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Weather Forecast
The morning weather forecast is calling for strong and gusty winds from the west/northwest 20 gusting up to 35 kilometers per hour for today.
Wildfire Update as of 11 am
Early this morning a wildfire was spotted in the community of Driftpile. Thanks to the hard work of airtankers,helicopters and firefighters the grass fire is 100 per cent contained. It was accurately measured at 3.5 hectares. Firefighters are on site working to extinguish this wildfire.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 97 wildfires and 1,183.25 hectares burned.
Firefighters with helicopters, heavy equipment and airtankers are stationed throughout the area ready to fight any new wildfires that may start. We also have our personnel in the fire towers on high alert constantly watching for smoke.
Alberta Wildfire Update as of 10:00 am
Alberta currently has 40 wildfires. Five are out of control, six are being held, 27 are under control and two have been turned over to the responsible party. Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 815 wildfires that have burned a total of 61,170.8 hectares.
FIRE RESTRICTION in effect
What’s prohibited?
Wood campfires in backcountry or random camping areas, charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches. Campfires are prohibited on private property (example -backyard fire pit) as well.
To view map of fire restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca
Thank you to all for cooperating with the fire restriction. Abiding by the fire restriction helps to keep our firefighters free to fight wildfires that are still burning and any new wildfires that may start.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update June 7th.
Leah Lovequist - Wildfire Information Officer
Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Leah.Lovequist@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.