A fire behaviour advisory is in place for the Lac La Biche Forest Area due to expected strong and gusty winds. If a wildfire were to occur under these conditions, intense fire behaviour would be expected and the fire would spread quickly, especially in dry vegetation. This weather can challenge suppression efforts.
Today winds will be out of the southeast at 20-25 km/h with gusts of 40 km/h.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473).
FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT
A fire restriction is in effect for the Lac La Biche Forest Area due to the accumulation of dry vegetation, which can easily ignite and will burn quickly if conditions are right.
Human caused wildfires are entirely preventable. Use caution when doing work outside, such as welding or grinding, as it can produce sparks that can start a wildfire. A fire will quickly spread in dry and dead grass. If you’re using your OHV, remember to stop often, cool down your machine and check your hotspots. Grass can get stuck in the hot areas of your OHV, heat up and start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
Under this restriction:
- Existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed.
Prohibited on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas:
- All outdoor wood fires.
- Fires fueled exclusively by charcoal briquettes.
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed in designated campgrounds on private and public land, designated day use areas and on privately owned land:
- Safe wood campfires.
- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques.
- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances CSA approved or UL certified.
Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.
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.
NOTE: Areas of the map that are white mean there is still snow on the ground. Once snow free conditions occur the wildfire danger will be visible on the map.
LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE
The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is EXTREME. During extreme fire danger behaviour forest fuels are extremely dry and pose a very serious fire risk. Fast-spreading, high-intensity fires are likely, which are very difficult to control.
Since January 1 2024, there has been a total of 56 wildfires burning a total of 47 ha in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. There are currently five wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area but they are all under control.
FIRE BEHAVIOUR ADVISORY
The Lac La Biche Forest Area in under a fire behaviour advisory meaning that the area is going to experience very strong winds out of the southeast at 20-25 km/h with gusts up to 40 km/h. This type of weather and the dry conditions we have been experiencing will produce extreme fire behaviour if a wildfire occurs.
If a wildfire does occur in these conditions it will spread quickly in dry vegetation and it will be difficult to catch and suppress for our firefighters. Dry fuels will be very responsive to the changes in wind speed and the rates of spread will increase substantially if a wildfire starts under these weather conditions.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Off-highway vehicles like quads, dirt bikes and side-by-sides can reach temperatures of 204 degrees in certain areas on your machine. Dry vegetation can build-up in these hotspots where the material can heat up and drop-off leaving a wildfire behind. Keep your OHV clean by stopping often and removing vegetation in hot areas on the OHV. By taking frequent breaks you allow your machine time to cool down. Never idle on tall, dry grass and always carry water or fire fighting equipment with you as your ride.
SPRING WILDFIRE AWARENESS
The period of time between when the snow melts and when the area receives it's first spring rains is a critical time. This is when grass and trees are very dry and will easily ignite. Spring rain helps trees green up and that helps to keep the wildfire risk low. Until we start to experience high amounts of precipitation we ask residents and industry to be cautious when enjoying the warmer temperatures outdoors.
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. The ashes should be cold to the touch
- making sure your farming equipment is in good working order in order to reduce sparks
For more safe burning practises please visit https://www.alberta.ca/safe-burning
NOW HIRING
There are a variety of positions still available on the Government of Alberta website.
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.
