Although, temperatures will be cooler conditions remain very dry and the wildfire hazard will be EXTREME. For Thursday, the forecast is calling for strong and gusty winds. Use extreme caution as a wildfire will ignite easily and spread very quickly. Call 310-FIRE (3473) immediately to report a wildfire.
Firefighters with helicopters, airtankers 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.
The smoke which has drifted into the Slave Lake Forest Area is from wildfires burning in British Columbia. The smoke is expected to remain in the area for the next few days. If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast.
8:30 pm Wednesday May 4th
Firefighters have been successful in containing the spread of three new wildfires. Two south of Driftpile and one southwest of High Prairie.
Photo taken May 4th at approximately 6:30 pm
Update on Otter Lakes Wildfire (formerly Slave Lake Wildfire Number 30)
The Otter Lakes wildfire is located approximately 45 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. There are no communities being threatened. Today the wildfire did experience some growth and the size is now approximately 1856 hectares. Firefighters, airtankers and helicopters continue to fight this wildfire and early this afternoon an incident management team arrived on scene.
There were three new wildfires this evening in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Thanks to firefighters all were quickly contained. Since April 1st there have been 44 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area and the total area burned over 1900 hectares.
Click here to view the Wildfire Situation in Alberta.
By following the fire restriction, you help keep our firefighters free to fight wildfires. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
A fire restriction is in effect for Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, as continued warm and dry weather has pushed the wildfire hazard to very high and extreme, across much of the province.
- Safe campfires are allowed in fire rings in campgrounds and provincial parks only.
- Campfires in backyards are not allowed.
- Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane BBQs are allowed in backyards, campgrounds, backcountry and random camp areas.
- No new fire permits will be issued.
- Current fire permits are suspended, with the exception of valid permits for smokehouses and sweat lodges.
Alberta Wildfire staff are requesting that you discontinue recreational use of off-highway vehicles until the wildfire hazard subsides.
Burning activities may become restricted in the coming days if conditions worsen. For more information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE (394-3473).
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 May 5th.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)
