Conditions remain very dry and the wildfire hazard is EXTREME. For Saturday, the forecast is calling for very warm temperatures and strong 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.  

Thanks to the hardwork of firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft, the Otter Lakes Wildfire is 25 per cent contained. 

The smoke which has drifted into the Slave Lake Forest Area is from wildfires burning in British Columbia and Alberta. 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.

Otter Lakes Wildfire Update

The Otter Lakes wildfire is located approximately 36 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. Communities are not being threatened. Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment continue to fight this wildfire and there is an incident management team coordinating their efforts. 

Due to the extreme dryness of the forest, the wildfire was exhibiting areas of open flame again this afternoon. Helicopters with buckets were successful in cooling these areas. Firefighters with nodwells continue to work on securing the wildfire's edge. The wildfire was measured today and it is 1939.9 hectares and as of 5:00 pm this evening the Otter Lakes wildfire is 25 per cent contained. 

Early this morning, wildland firefighters assisted the Grouard Fire Department on three grass fires in the Buffalo Bay Area. Since April 1st there have been 46 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area and the total area burned over 1994.27 hectares.

Click here to view the Wildfire Situation in Alberta. 

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.

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).

Province restricts off-highway vehicle recreational use | Alberta.ca test with image | Alberta government

The OHV restriction will be in place until further notice. It applies to recreational use on public lands, including designated OHV trails, only. It will not apply to agriculture, public safety or commercial/industrial users who operate OHVs for farming, enforcement or business purposes. The OHV restriction does not apply to the use of an OHV by Indigenous peoples when exercising a right recognized and affirmed under Part II of the Constitution Act, 1982 or a right under section 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.

Wildfire management staff, along with enforcement personnel, including Conservation Officers and Fish and Wildlife Officers, will enforce the temporary OHV recreational restriction immediately. OHVs include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), four-wheel vehicles, motorcycles and related two-wheel vehicles and amphibious machines.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. By following the fire ban and OHV restriction, you help keep our firefighters free to fight wildfires. 

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

Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780.849.0945

Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca