Please use caution when recreating and having a campfire in the forest. Fully extinguish your campfire by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).
LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is HIGH today. Forest fuels are dry and the fire risk is serious. If a wildfire does occur moderate to vigorous surface fire is expected, which may spread to treetops. Current conditions may be challenging for fire suppression efforts.
Since January 1, 2023, there have been 187 wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area, burning 7,934 hectares (ha).
There are currently seven wildfires burning in the Lac La Biche Forest Area and they're all classified as under control and pose no threat to any communities or infrastructure.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 1,076 wildfires burning a total of 2,214,816 ha.
FALL COOKING AND WARMING FIRES
As the temperatures start to cool, cooking and warming fires are very common and firefighters will often find them unattended or abandoned. These fires still pose a risk of starting a wildfire even in the fall months.
These cooking and warming fires are used for a short period of time and the hunter or recreationalist will often leave the area soon after. If you're having a cooking or warming fire during your hunt or ride we recommend using an existing fire ring if possible, otherwise, choose a location that's on level ground, sheltered from the wind and on bare mineral soil.
If you build your fire on peat material, you risk creating a deep burning fire that could be challenging to extinguish. Before you leave, ensure you fully extinguish the fire, otherwise it could smolder under ground for days or even weeks and re-surface when the conditions are right for a wildfire. Your fire isn't fully extinguished until the ashes are cool to the touch.
PERMITS
Only burn what you can control. High winds can carry embers long distances. Always be prepared and have fire fighting equipment ready. A large water vessel or fire extinguisher can help but wildfires can start and get out of hand quickly. Use extreme caution in these conditions or save it for another day.
Permits are still required until October 31 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. For tips on how you can burn safely visit www.alberta.ca for more information. You can also get your free fire permit online or by calling the Lac La Biche office at 780-623-5388.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Did you know that the hotspots on your OHV can heat up to 200°C? That is hot enough to fry an egg. As you ride debris can get stuck in these hotspots on your recreational vehicle and will burn up and drop to the ground which could start a wildfire.
Always carry water with you or a vessel that you can take to a nearby water source. A fire extinguisher or shovel can help you to fully extinguish a wildfire.
For more information on how you can safely ride your OHV's you can visit
www.alberta.ca
FIRESMART
Fall is the perfect time of year to prune trees on your property. By pruning the trees within two metres of the ground you're removing potential fuel from a wildfire. If you're interesting in easy FireSmart tips you can take the free FireSmart 101 online course to get you started. This quick course will take you through the foundations of FireSmart and a few practices you can adopt to your home to mitigate the risk of wildfire.
WILDFIRE INFORMATION
Subscribe to your local Forest Area update or other Forest Area updates and they'll come directly to your email. You can visit our updates, enter your email address and click Instant then Subscribe.
You can also download the AB Wildfire Status App, click the "i" at the bottom left for the most recent update. To be notified when new updates are live you can click the bell for notifications and scroll to the Lac La Biche Forest Area Update.
Visit the Alberta Wildfire website at wildfire.alberta.ca for more information on the current wildfire situation.
Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.
For more information please contact:
Colby Lachance
Area Information Coordinator
780-404-9186
colby.lachance@gov.ab.ca
Related Information
Websites:
Social Media:
Apps:
Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.
