Wildfire Conditions in the Slave Lake Forest Area are EXTREME. The weather in northern Alberta will continue to warm in most areas and the temperature will be around 20-22 degrees Celsius with light south easterly winds in the Slave Lake Forest Area. The forecast as we move into next week is for temperatures to continue to rise early in the week with an increase in the wind. A significant amount of rain is needed to reduce the hazard across the province and we have not received enough at this point. Call 310-FIRE (3473) immediately to report a wildfire.
Wildfire Update
There were four new wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area in the last 24 hours. Three of the fires are considered to be extinguished or turned over to the responsible party.
SWF-055 is located 30 kilometres north of Swan Hills up highway 33. It is estimated as 2.2 hectares in size and had heavy equipment and fire fighters working to extinguish the fire, it is currently considered as being held. The first photo is of fire SWF-055 when it was first being actioned by the firefighters. The second photo is of the same fire, the red color is the retardant that was dropped to stop the spread and you can also see the heavy equipment guard that was built to help contain the fire.
In the last 24 hours there have been six new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
Otter Lakes Wildfire Update
The Otter Lakes wildfire is located approximately 36 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. Communities are not being threatened. Firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters continue to fight this wildfire lead by an incident management team.
The Otter Lakes wildfire is now considered as being held which means that given the current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past its current boundaries.
Since April 1st there have been 57 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area and the total area burned over 2002.21 hectares. Alberta has recorded 422 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 263,383.21 hectares.
Click here to view the Wildfire Situation in Alberta.
The fireban will be 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.
Recent rain and cooler temperatures in the southern half of Alberta has reduced the fire hazard to a point where the OHV restriction and fireban could be removed. However, the northern half of Alberta is still experiencing dry conditions and the OHV restriction and fireban are still in effect in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
- If Albertan's are witnessing restricted OHV activities they can call the Report a Poacher Line at 1-800-642-3800.
- For more information you can visit emergency.alberta.ca
We encourage Albertans to stay up to date on the current fire ban and OHV restriction situation by visiting the Alberta Fire Bans website or call the Wildfire Information Line for updates 1-866-394-3473.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on May 15th.
Tanis Blocka -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.516.1347 Tanis.Blocka@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)
