We ask that everyone who conducted any burning projects this winter return and ensure the piles are fully extinguished. Feel the ashes with your bare hand for any heat and use hand tools and water to ensure that there is no fire burning underneath top soil.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).
WILDFIRE DANGER
Winds out of the northwest at 30 km/h gusting 50 km/h are expected today. We are urging everyone to be extremely vigilant at this time.
Please consider moving any non-essential work that could create sparks such as welding or grinding to another day. If you're using any machinery outside please ensure it is in good working order and shut your machines off periodically throughout use to let the engines cool down. Always have water or fire fighting equipment with you.
Written permission is required from a Forest Officer for any burning in the forest protection area. Please ensure you follow the conditions on your permit. If the wind is gusting over 15 km/h or increases beyond the limit on your permit, immediately extinguish your fire.
To monitor wind conditions for the area please visit www.windy.com
Keep in mind that there is a fire advisory still in effect. Please see albertafirebans.ca for more information regarding the status of fire permits.
FIRE ADVISORY STILL IN EFFECT
A fire advisory is in effect for the Lac La Biche Forest Area section of the Forest Protection Area due to dry conditions and a lack of precipitation from the fall and winter months.
Under this advisory:
· New fire permits will not be issued for non-essential heavy fuel burning such as machine-piled brush piles and windrows.
· Permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
Prohibited:
· Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited.
Allowed:
· Safe wood campfires*
· Backyard fire pits
· Portable propane fire pits
· Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
· Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:
a) be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;
b) have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
c) have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and
d) Municipalities, Parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.
Return to winter burn sites to ensure they are completely extinguished. These fires can smoulder underground and flare up into a wildfire when the conditions are right.
DRY CONDITIONS CONTINUE
There has been a lack of precipitation this winter which has created unusually dry conditions earlier into our fire season than normal. In many open areas there is an accumulation of dry grasses which can easily ignite and will burn quickly if conditions are right.
We can all do our part in preventing human caused wildfires by:
- being aware of any fire ban information in the area, check out albertafirebans.ca
- keeping your off-highway vehicle clear of any debris and stop often to cool down your machine
- being careful when grinding or welding in dry locations and always carry fire fighting equipment with you (fire extinguisher and hand tools)
- properly extinguishing your campfire by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again
- making sure your farming equipment is in good working order in order to reduce sparks
For more information on safe burning practices please click here.
LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is MODERATE. Moderate fire danger means that if a wildfire does start it will exhibit creeping or gentle surface fire.
Since January 1 2024, there has been a total of 22 wildfires burning a total of 38 ha in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. There are no active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area at this time.
FIRE PERMITS
If you require a fire permit for any burning, please visit our
online portal to get your free fire permit or you can call your local forestry office in Lac La Biche at 780-623-5388 to get started. Please plan ahead and have the site ready as there may be delays for a forestry staff member to visit your site.
Keep in mind that there is a fire advisory still in effect. Please see albertafirebans.ca for more information regarding the status of fire permits.
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.
