Photo 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.
Wildfire Situation as of 11:00 am July 11th
Slave Lake Wildfire number 163 started on June 30 and is located north of kilometer 20 on highway 754. The strong winds caused this fire to grow yesterday and last night. This wildfire has burned 8919. Dozers are working on building a guard around the south side of the fire today. Over one hundred firefighters and support presonnel, two airtanker groups and 12 helicopters with buckets are all working on slowing the spread of this fire today.
Photo of SWF-163 at 8:30 pm July 10, 2015.
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 actioning this fire, and it is being constantly monitored by air. This wildfire has burned 1753 hectares.
Check the Alberta Wildfire App or click here for the location and status of these wildfires. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.
For information on the wildfires burning in Alberta visit the Wildfire Status Mapat www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 197 wildfires that have burned a total of 15,376 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.
Wildfire Hazard
The wildfire hazard is Very High for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area.Use caution while out enjoying our forests and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).The forests are very dry and under windy conditions a wildfire will spread very quickly.
Weather Forecast
The temperatures for today will continue to be in the high 20's and winds will be from the east at 15 kilometers per hour. There is a chance of thundershowers in the area, which can cause strong and gusty winds.
Until there is rain on the ground, conditions will remain very dry and a wildfire will spread very quickly.
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.
Thanks for doing your part to help prevent wildfires.
Soak it, Stir it up and Soak it Again
Make sure your campfire is out. Soak it thoroughly, stir it up and soak it thoroughly again. Hold your hand above the ashes to check for heat. Click here to learn how you can make sure your campfire is out.
Help prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle
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 11th.
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.