LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE
There are 39 active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Of those, 22 are out of control, 11 are being held and six are under control.
Wildfire LWF136 is currently burning out of control at 500 hectares in size (July 19, 2024).
Kettle River Complex
This complex includes wildfire LWF136, LWF142, LWF152, LWF155 and LWF164.
LWF136 - This wildfire is located approximately 15 km northwest of the community of Janvier. It is currently 500 hectares (ha) in size and classified as out of control. This wildfire grew to the southwest yesterday. Night operations responded in the overnight hours when it was safe to due so. Smoky conditions are making air support challenging. They will continue to respond when the conditions are safe to do so. Crews and heavy equipment are back working on this wildfire today focusing on establishing a fire guard on the southern perimeter with support from helicopters. There is potential for extreme wildfire behavior once smoky conditions clear today. Crews are preparing for another challenging day for firefighting.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has issued an evacuation alert for the hamlet of Janvier.
LWF142 - This wildfire is approximately 0.1 ha. It is now classified as being held.
LWF152 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 305 ha. Airtankers supported this wildfire yesterday with establishing containment lines. There are industrial facilities within a 10 km radius to the wildfires.
LWF155 - This wildfire is approximately 0.2 ha.
LWF164 - This wildfire was detected July 17. It is located approximately 15km northeast of Conklin along highway 881. It is classified as out of control at 600 ha.
Active wildfires
LWF123 - This wildfire was detected July 11, 2024. It is classified as out of control at 531 hectares (ha).
LWF139 - The wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 0.1 ha.
LWF143 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 0.4 ha.
LWF144 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 0.3 ha.
LWF145 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 0.3 ha.
LWF147 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 1,800 ha. This wildfire is located approximately 10 km northeast of Heart Lake in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
LWF148 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 0.1 ha.
LWF149 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 0.1 ha.
LWF151 - This wildfire was detected July 16 and is classified as out of control at 8 ha. It is located in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. Wildfire crews worked on a dozer guard yesterday and crews will return today to reinforce containment lines and put out hot spots.
LWF153 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control 0.1 ha.
LWF154 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 1,200 ha. This wildfire is located within the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
LWF155 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 0.2 ha.
LWF156 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out control at 5 ha.
LWF159 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 2,000 ha. This wildfire is located in the Dillion Lake Provincial Park.
LWF165 - This wildfire was detected July 17. It is located approximately 23 km south of Crow Lake and 8 km east of highway 63. It is classified as out of control at 128 ha.
LWF166 - This wildfire was detected July 17. It is classified as out of control at 3 ha.
LWF167 - This wildfire was detected July 17. It is located in the Lakeland Provincial Park approximately 5 km south of the Jackson Lake Trail Staging Provincial Recreation Area. It is classified as out of control at 0.5 ha. Airtankers may be visible in the area today.
Since January 1, there have been a total of 168 wildfires, burning 7,233.72 ha, in the Lac La Biche Forest Area.
FIRE BAN
A fire ban is in effect as of July 10 in the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Lac La Biche Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.
Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks), are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.
Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if a fire ban or restriction is in place in your area.
Under this fire ban:
- All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
- No new fire permits will be issued.
- Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.
Prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits
- Barbeque charcoal briquettes
- Fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances
- Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
- Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
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