Firefighters in helicopters and airtankers made good progress on fighting the wildfire located at kilometre 51 on the Chip Alpac Road north of Wabasca. It is estimated to be six hectares in size. Dozers are on site and will be working through the night to build guard around this fire.The Chip Alpac Road is open.
Updates will be provided frequently. Check the Slave Lake Update on the Alberta Wildfire App or on the fire status map.
Photo taken at 7:00 pm this evening
Wildfire Hazard
VERY HIGH wildfire hazard continues for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Use extreme caution while out enjoying our forests and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).The forests are very dry and a fire will spread very quickly under windy conditions.
Wildfire Summary
Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area
There were seven new wildfires yesterday afternoon and one this morning. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters the spread of these wildfires was quickly contained and the total area burned was 1.57 hectares. Click here to view a map of the fire locations and click on the pins to view the status and size.
The wildfire located southeast of Bigstone Cree Nation 166A which started yesterday afternoon is 100 per cent contained at 0.5 hectares.
For information on the grass fire in the Grouard area contact the County of Big Lakes Fire Department at 780-523-8778.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 135 wildfires that have burned a total of 1206.87 hectares.
Alberta
In the last 24 hours there have been 53 new wildfires. Alberta currently has 128 wildfires. 27 are out of control, 40 are being held, and 61 are under control. 13 wildfires have been extinguished within the last 24 hours. Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1121 wildfires that have burned a total of 97,072.34 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.
Smoke
Expect smoke to continue drifting into the area for the next few days. 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.
Weather Forecast
For Saturday, the forecast is calling for very warm temperatures and winds from the southwest 15 kilometres per hour. Very warm and sunny weather is expected to continue over the weekend.
Fire Permits
With Canada Day around the corner, 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 28th.
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.