Wildfire Hazard
Recent warm weather has caused the wildfire hazard to climb to HIGH for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Winds are expected to be very strong and gusty today.Use caution while working or recreating in our forests as conditions are dry and a wildfire will ignite easily and spread very quickly under windy conditions. To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE(3473).
Wildfire Update as of 11:00 am Tuesday July 28, 2015
Lightning sparked three new wildfires last night. Firefighters were able to quickly contain them. One is being held, one is under control and one has been extinguished.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 228 was started by lightning on July 26th and is located 29 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. This wildfire is being held at 8.3 hectares. Being held means given current weather conditions and firefighting resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.There are eight firefighters and one helicopter working on this wildfire.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 175 was discovered on July 1st and is located 36 kilometers northeast of Peerless Lake and 33 kilometers west of Chipewyan Lakes.This wildfire is being held which means given current weather conditions and firefighting resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.Firefighters using heavy equipment and helicopters are working on extinguishing hotspots along the edges of this wildfire.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 163 which is located at approximately kilometer 25 on highway 754, 26 kilometers northeast of Marten Beach remains being held at 9,895 hectares. Being held means, given current weather conditions and firefighting resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. This wildfire is 95 % contained. Infrared aerial scans are being perfromed on the wildfire to locate areas of deep burning ground fire. Firefighters receive the gps locations and are extinguishing them.
Firefighters continue to work on the wildfire along highway 754. For the safety of our firefighting personnel, please slow down and follow the posted speed limits.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 233 wildfires that have burned a total of 22,331 hectares.
Weather Forecast
The forecast for today is calling for temperatures in mid twenties and winds from the west at 20 gusting up to 40 kilometres per hour.
Fire Permits
From March 1 to October 31, fire permits are required for any type of burning in the forest protection area - except campfires. A fire permit is not required for a campfire.
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 existing wildfires and any new wildfires that may start.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update Wednesday July 29th.
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
To report wildfires call 310-FIRE