Slave Lake Area Update

Wildfire Hazard

The rain last night has brought relief to the wildfire hazard north of Lesser Slave Lake however areas around High Prairie and south of Lesser Slave Lake did not receive any rain and the hazard has climbed to HIGH. Click here to view the wildfire hazard map for today.

With warm weather in the forecast this week the hazard is expected to climb.

Firefighters need your help reporting and preventing wildfires. Did you know? 30% of wildfires each year are reported by Albertans.To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE.

Weather

The forecast is calling for sun and warm weather this week. Today temperatures will be very warm and winds will be from the southwest 20 kilometres per hour.

Wildfire Situation in the Slave Lake Forest Area

Photo of SWF 207 which was spotted Sunday evening.

Lightning sparked four new wildfires on Sunday.Firefighters have extinguished two and two are being held.

Since April 1st there have been 209 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area and just over 2,260 hectares burned. 

For information on the wildfire situation across Alberta visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca.

So far this year 40% of the wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area have been human caused. Human caused wildfires are 100% preventable. Follow these tips when working or recreating in the forest.

• When riding your off-highway vehicle stop frequently to clear away any debris that builds up and carry firefighting equipment on board.
• Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's out. Soak it with water. Stir up the ashes and soak it again. 
• When operating farm equipment be sure to clear your machine of flammable crop residue, check for sparks frequently and carry firefighting equipment on board.
• Refrain from using shooting targets that explode.These incendiary targets can cause a wildfire and for this reason their use has been prohibited until the end of wildfire season on October 31, 2016.
• Before you burn it get a permit. If you are burning without a fire permit or outside your fire permit conditions your fire is a wildfire.

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfires!

Fire Permits

Fire permits are required for any type of burning (except campfires) in the Forest Protection Area. By getting a fire permit and abiding by the fire permit conditions, you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of investigating the smoke in your backyard. 

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

Visit beta.albertfirebans.ca to learn more about current fire bans across the province.

Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update August 19th.

Leah Lovequist -Wildfire Information Officer

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