Lac La Biche Forest Area - April 26, 2024

Always revisit winter burns as holdover fires are likely this season due to dry conditions. Holdover fires are fires that have burned deep into the ground over winter months and can reignite when conditions are right in the spring.

Today the Lac La Biche Forest Area is expecting moderate winds out of the north at 20km/h.

Even in cooler temperatures, if a wildfire were to occur under these conditions, high fire behaviour would be expected and the fire would spread quickly, due to the extremely dry vegetation.

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.

Fire Restriction Fact Sheet

Fire Restriction Poster

NOTE: Areas of the map within the Forest Protection Area 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 VERY HIGH. If a wildfire were to start in these conditions, we would expect to see high-intensity fire that is likely to spread to treetops. Fire is expected to start easily and can challenge suppression efforts.

Since January 1 2024, there has been a total of 62 wildfires burning a total of 50 ha in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. There are currently two wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area but they are all under control.

To view active wildfires across the province on a map, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status page.

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

FIRESMART

Prep day is all about communities coming together to reduce their wildland fire risk. Whether you’re hosting a community clean-up, a chipping event, or putting together emergency kits, there are so many ways you can participate! Don’t miss out, get involved today! Check out FireSmart Prep Day to know more.

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.

NOW HIRING

There are a variety of positions still available on the Government of Alberta website.

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DRONE REMINDER

Drones are not allowed to be flown within five nautical miles (or 9.3 kilometers) of a wildfire. If you fly a drone within this distance of a wildfire, it immediately halts aerial firefighting operations because it is not safe to be flying with drones in the air. The penalty for interfering with wildfire control operations can land you a court appearance, for more information go to the Government of Alberta website.

For more information from Transport Canada about drones near wildfires, visit Transport Canada's 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