Due to the cool weather today the wildfire hazard is MODERATE.
Although we received some rain this weekend the overall conditions remain dry and with the warm and sunny weather in the forecast the hazard is expected to climb.Use caution in areas of dead dry grass as it only takes a few hours of warm and sunny weather to make them flammable once again.
Fire permits are available call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry office to request yours.
- Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 780-849-7377
- Wabasca 780-891-3860
- High Prairie 780-523-6619
Today, 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.
There was one new wildfire last night. It is being held at 0.01 hectares. Since April 1st there have been 23 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, aircraft pilots and heavy equipment operators 22 have been extinguished and one is being held. The total area burned is just over 47 hectares.
Click here to view the Wildfire Situation in Alberta.
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 Alberta Agriculture and Forestry office.
- Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 780-849-7377
- Wabasca 780-891-3860
- High Prairie 780-523-6619
Check the weather prior to burning and be sure to follow the conditions on your Fire Permit.
By getting a fire permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of investigating the smoke in your backyard.
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.
The majority of wildfires this spring were caused by winter burning. Go back and make sure your winter burns are extinguished. The mild winter and dry ground conditions are proving favorable for holdover fires. When checking your brush piles, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for ground fires. 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!
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on April 27th.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)
