Conditions remain very dry and the wildfire hazard is EXTREME. For Thursday, the forecast is calling for warm temperatures and moderate 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.
A fire ban has been issued for the province of Alberta as of 6:00 pm on May 5th.
All open fires, including campfires and charcoal briquettes, are prohibited. The use of incendiary targets is also banned.
Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating are allowed.
Recreational users of OHVs are to discontinue use until the wildfire hazard subsides.
The fire ban will remain in place until further notice. Every precaution is being taken to ensure no new preventable fires are started in the coming days that will put additional strain on the province's firefighting resources.
For more information on the Fire Bans, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE (394-3473).
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. By following the fire ban, you help keep our firefighters free to fight wildfires.
Update on Otter Lakes Wildfire (formerly Slave Lake Wildfire Number 30)
The Otter Lakes wildfire is located approximately 36 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. Communities are not being threatened. Firefighters, airtankers and helicopters continue to fight this wildfire and there is an incident management team coordinating their efforts.
This afternoon due to the extreme dryness of the forest, the wildfire was exhibiting areas of open flame. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets were successful in cooling these areas. Firefighters with nodwells continue to work on securing the wildfire's edge.The wildfire was accurately measured today and it is 1533.2 hectares. Forty additional firefighters are expected to arrive tomorrow.
There was one new wildfire early this afternoon in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Firefighters were able to quickly contain and extinguish it. Since April 1st there have been 46 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area and the total area burned over 1587.57 hectares.
Click here to view the Wildfire Situation in Alberta.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on May 6th.
Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)
