Slave Lake Area Update

Wildfire hazard MODERATE. Lightning sparks new wildfires. Update on wildfires east of Red Earth Creek.

Posted on Wed, May 25, 2016

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Wildfire Situation in the Slave Lake Forest Area

As of 8:30 pm 

Lightning moved through the area this afternoon sparking four new wildfires.

There are two wildfires over 12 kilometers east of Red Earth Creek. The community is not being threatened. These wildfires are classified as burning out of control and the sizes are approximately 3.0 and 1.5 hectares. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets have been successful in knocking down the flames and firefighters are working on the ground to extinguish the smouldering ground fires. Dozers will work through the night building guard around these wildfires.

The wildfire east of Panny Lookout Tower is being held at 2.0 hectares.

The wildfire north of Chipewyan Lakes is under control at 0.10 hectares.

Otter Lakes Wildfire

The Otter Lakes wildfire located approximately 36 kilometers northwest of Red Earth Creek is 100 per cent contained. Firefighters continue to patrol this wildfire from the air and an infrared scan is planned for this week. The wildfire started on April 30th and has burned just over 1939 hectares. 

Since April 1st there have been 66 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area and the total area burned is just over 2013 hectares.

Click here to view the Wildfire Situation in Alberta. 

Wildfire Hazard for the Slave Lake Forest Area

For Thursday the overall wildfire hazard will be MODERATE for the Slave Lake Forest Area. However areas to the north of Lesser Slave Lake received very little rain over the weekend and conditions do remain dry. Use caution when working and recreating in areas to the north as a wildfire will ignite easily in areas of dry grass. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

Weather

The forecast for Thursday is calling for temperatures in the low twenties, winds from the east/southeast 15 kilometres per hour and a chance of thundershowers with lightning. Periods of rain are expected for Friday and Saturday.

 

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Fire Ban 
 
Wet and cool weather across parts of Alberta has reduced the wildfire hazard and adjustments have been made to the boundaries of the fire ban and off-highway vehicle (OHV) restriction. For a map and information about the fire ban which remains in place click here.

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Fire Permits

Fire permits are required for any type of burning in the Forest Protection Area. Campfires do not require a fire permit.

 Fire permits are free and can be obtained by calling your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry office.

  • Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 780-849-7377
  • Wabasca 780-891-3860
  • High Prairie 780-523-6619

By getting a fire permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of investigating the smoke in your backyard.

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.

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.

 

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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! 

 

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For more information

Bookmark the Slave Lake Wildfire Update and check for updates anytime or subscribe to have it emailed to you.

Download the Alberta Wildfire app on your Apple or Android device.

You can also find us on 

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on May 26th.  

Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile: 780.849.0945      Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

Report Wildfires 310-FIRE (3473)

 

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