Wildfire Update
The municipal firefighters of Wabasca have had a very busy night. They have been quick to action three wildfires in the community alongside our firefighting resources. Thanks to all for their dedication and hard work tonight. This photo was taken by Denis Carnochan of Wabasca while he watched the firefighting on fire SWF-059.
SWF-061 started around 6:30 p.m. May 16, 2016. The wildfire is located close to the community of Wabasca and is currently classified as UNDER CONTROL.
SWF-060 was spotted by one of our look out towers around 6 p.m. tonight. The wildfire is located 12 kilometres south west of High Prairie, no communities are being threatened. Firefighters and air tankers are currently on route to the fire this is classified as out of control.
SWF-059 started around 5:30 p.m. May 16, 2016. The wildfire is located close to the community of Wabasca and is currently classified as UNDER CONTROL.
SWF-058 started around 3:00 p.m. May 16, 2016. The wildfire is located close to the community of Wabasca and is currently classified as UNDER CONTROL. The wildfire was quickly actioned by helicopters bucketing water and heavy equipment was used to help contain the wildfire.
SWF-055 is located 30 kilometres north of Swan Hills up highway 33. It is estimated as 2.2 hectares in size and it is currently considered as UNDER CONTROL.
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 under control.
Since April 1st there have been 58 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area and the total area burned over 2003.21 hectares. Since April 1, 2016, Alberta has recorded 427 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 265,906.81 hectares.
Click here to view the Wildfire Situation in Alberta.
Slave Lake Forest Area Forecast
The forecast for tomorrow is for temperatures in and around 21 to 24 degrees Celsius with winds expected to be around 20 kilometres per hour. There is still the potential for thundershowers on Wednesday night with rain on Thursday. The forest fuels are very dry which is driving the fire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area to extreme.
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.
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.
- 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 17th.
Tanis Blocka -Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780.516.1347 Tanis.Blocka@gov.ab.ca
Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)
