Slave Lake Area Update

Postpone burning. Strong and gusty winds today.

Posted on Mon, Apr 18, 2016

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-extreme.jpg 

A Fire Weather Advisory is in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area for Monday April 18th. The forecast is calling for very warm temperatures and southwest winds 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 55 and possibly up to 80 kilometres per hour.

The wildfire hazard is EXTREME. Postpone any burning and use extreme caution as a wildfire will ignite easily and spread very quickly under these windy conditions.

Call 310-FIRE (3473) immediately to report a wildfire. 

Fire permits are suspended for today. 

firefighters_with_helicopters.jpg

Firefighters with helicopters, an airtanker and various pieces of heavy equipment 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.  

 

Over the weekend there were five new wildfires. Three are under control and two have been extinguished. All five wildfires were caused by human activity. Go back to ensure your winter burns are extinguished. The dry ground conditions are proving favorable for holdover wildfire. 

Since April 1st there have been eight wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area.  Three are under control and five have been extinguished and the total area burned was 43.62 hectares.

Click here to view the Wildfire Situation Report for Alberta. 

 

PREV_OHV_HotSpots_HubSpot.jpg

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! 

get_a_fire_permit_small.jpg

 Fire permits are suspended and new permits are not being issued for April 18th.

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on April 18th.  

Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780.849.0945

Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)

App_promo.jpg