Slave Lake Area Update

Very High Fire Hazard Persists as Long Weekend Ends

Posted on Mon, May 18, 2015

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Wildfire Hazard

The fire hazard continues to be VERY HIGH for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area, and conditions are not expected to change in the coming week.  Dry conditions continue to linger in the forest, causing the grass and other surface fuels to remain extremely flammable.  Under windy conditions a fire will spread rapidly through these flammable fuels. With the start to the camping season well under way, please remember not to leave your campfire unattended.  Be sure your fire is properly extinguished before you leave, and check your ATV for debris regularly.  

 

Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

 

Click here to view the Wildfire Hazard map for May 19, 2015.

 

Currently in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area, 100 firefighters, 17 helicopters, 5 heavy equipment groups, 1 airtanker with a birddog, and 4 water-bombers with a birddog have been stationed strategically throughout the area and are ready to battle any new wildfires that may start.  We also have firefighters in helicopters doing aerial patrols and all 20 of our lookout tower observers are continually watching for smoke.

 

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Due to the extremely dry conditions and dry surface fuels, and the Very High fire hazard, the Slave Lake Wildfire Management area has issued a fire advisory EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, for the Slave Lake forest protection area. All existing fire permits have been suspended and no new permits will be issued until conditions allow. Currently, safe campfires are allowed in campgrounds and back country or random camping areas.  Please be sure to use extreme caution when having a campfire.  Do not leave any campfires unattended, and ensure your campfire is COMPLETELY extinguished by soaking, stirring, and soaking your fire again.  The fire advisory will remain effective until the fire hazard conditions improve.  For local and provincial fire ban/advisory information, please check Albertafirebans.ca.

 

Weather Forecast

For Tuesday May 19th, the forecast is calling for the temperatures to be similar to today. The winds in the Red Earth area will be from the southeast at 15 kilometers per hour, while winds in the Swan Hills will be from the southeast at 25 gusting to 40 kilometers per hour. 

 

Wildfire Report as of May 18th at 4:10 pm

In the last 24 hours, there was 1 new wildfire.  This fire is under control, and burned 3.67 hectares.

Since April 1, the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area has recorded 52 wildfires which have burned 323.2 hectares. 51 fires have been extinguished.

 

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Fire Permits

From March 1 to October 31, Albertans in the forested areas need to get a FIRE PERMIT for any burning, excluding campfires. To request your free fire permit call your local Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Office.

Slave Lake/Red Earth 780.849.7377

High Prairie 780.523.6619

Wabasca 780.891.3890

Due to the fire advisory, all existing permits have been suspended, and no new permits will be issued until the advisory is lifted.

 

Unless conditions change, your next wildfire update will be May 19th, 2015.

 

Shawna Lund- 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