At this time, lightning has sparked ten wildfires in the north portion of the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Firefighters in helicopters and airtankers are working these wildfires.
Wildfire Hazard
VERY HIGH wildfire hazard persists for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Areas around Wabasca and Sandy Lake are EXTREME. Use extreme caution while out enjoying our forests and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).The conditions in the forest are very dry and under windy conditions a wildfire will spread very quickly.
For today, the forecast is calling for a chance of thundershowers with lightning, however until the rain is on the ground conditions will remain very dry.
Smoke
At this time, smoke from wildfires in High Level and the Northwest Territories is drifting into the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Anyone with health concerns should check the Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24/7 health advise from health link Alberta. For a smoke forecast map please visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.
Wildfire Summary
Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area
There were no new wildfires yesterday.
Slave Lake Wildfire Number 138 located at the northwest corner of Howard Lake (north of Fawcette Lake) is under control. The wildfire is 3.4 hectares and is 100 per cent contained. Eight firefighters and one helicopter are working to extinguish this wildfire.
Slave Lake Wildfire Number 137 located west of kilometre 51 on the Chip Alpac Road north of Wabasca is being held.The estimated size is six hectares. Dozers completed the guard and 25 firefighters and three helicopters continue to fight this wildfire.The Chip Alpac Road is open.
Click here to view a map of the fire locations and click on the pins to view the status and size.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 138 wildfires that have burned a total of 1214.97 hectares.
Alberta
In the last 24 hours there have been eight new wildfires. Alberta currently has 118 wildfires. 35 are out of control, 23 are being held, and 60 are under control. Four wildfires have been extinguished within the last 24 hours. Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1,170 wildfires that have burned a total of 167,456.51 hectares. For information on the wildfires burning in Alberta visit the Wildfire Status Map at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App.
High Alert
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.
For today, the forecast is calling for warm temperatures, a chance of thundershowers with lightning and winds from the west 15 kilometres per hour for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. For areas south of Lesser Slave Lake the forecast is calling for slightly cooler temperatures, a chance of thundershowers with lightning and winds from the west at 20 kilometres per hour.
Fire Permits
Happy Canada Day! Be sure to request your free fire permit if you plan on igniting fireworks in the Forest Protection Area.
The fire permit suspension has been lifted and new fire permits are being issued. However fire permits will not be issued for brush piles.Campfires are allowed and do not require a fire permit.
To request your free fire permit call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office.
Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless Lake/Trout Lake 780-849-7377
High Prairie 780-523-6619
Wabasca 780-891-3860
Fire permits help us track what is burning on the landscape. By getting a fire permit and following the fire permit conditions you help keep our firefighters free to fight new wildfires that may start.
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.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfires.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update June 30th.
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.