Slave Lake Area Update

Postpone any burning

Posted on Wed, Apr 06, 2016

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Strong and gusty winds are expected to continue into the evening. Use caution and postpone any burning.

Areas of dead grass are extremely dry and under these windy conditions a wildfire will spread very quickly. Call 310-FIRE (3473) immediately to report a wildfire. 

 

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Spring is the time of year when wildfires are 100 per cent preventable. Most if not all of the wildfires we see at this time of year are human-caused. Human-caused wildfires are 100 per cent preventable. Please do your part to prevent wildfires this spring.

Go back and check your winter burns to ensure they are extinguished. When checking your brush piles, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. Use your bare hand to feel for heat over the ash piles. If you see smoke or feel any heat, the fire is still burning beneath the surface. Douse any remaining hot spots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not completely extinguished until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes.

A campfire left smouldering can cause a wildfire. Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's out. This video shows you how to make sure your campfire is out.

Your off-highway vehicle can start a wildfire. Check your off-highway vehicle frequently for any smouldering debris. Grass, muskeg, moss or other debris can drop to the ground as you're riding and spark a wildfire.This video shows you how to ride debris free! 

 

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Wildfire Management Branch is seeking input on proposed amendments to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and associated regulations. The two primary associated regulations are the Forest and Prairie Protection Regulations, Part I and the Forest and Prairie Protection Regulations, Part II. You do not need to be familiar with the legislation and regulations to complete the survey.

 The goal of the proposed legislative and regulatory amendments is to:

  • Update the fine levels and structure to align with other similar provincial legislation,
  • Clarify wording to better reflect and support current operational practices in the field, and
  • Complete any required consequential administrative amendments (e.g. terminology and form updates)

 There is a discussion paper attached to the survey that provides further detail on the proposed amendments.

There is also the opportunity to suggest additional amendments at the end of the survey.

The survey closes on Friday, April 15, 2016, responses need to be completed by the closing date to be included in the online post-survey summary.

Link to survey https://extranet.gov.ab.ca/opinio6//s?s=27402

 

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Over the next several weeks, firefighters will be burning areas of dry grass in and around many communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Burning helps to remove the dangerous build-up of dry grass that becomes prominent around many communities in the spring. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.

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Fire permits are required for any type of burning in the Forest Protection Area. Campfires do not require a fire permit.

 Fire permits are free and can be obtained by calling your local Agriculture and Forestry office.

  • Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 780-849-7377
  • Wabasca 780-891-3860
  • High Prairie 780-523-6619

By getting a fire permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of investigating the smoke in your backyard.

 

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on April 7th.  

Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780.849.0945

Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)

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