Lac La Biche Area Update

Kettle River Complex (LCX001) | LWF136, LWF164 and LWF152

The Kettle River Complex (LCX001) includes 17 wildfires: LWF101, LWF123, LWF124, LWF126, LWF136, LWF139, LWF140, LWF141, LWF142, LWF143, LWF152, LWF155, LWF156, LWF159, LWF162, LWF164 and LWF168. An Incident Management Team (IMT) is committed to this complex and is now responsible for the personnel and resources assigned to its wildfires.

The weather forecast for the next few days is seeing temperature highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius and relative humidity low of 35 per cent; so conditions will remain dry and hot. Wind conditions for Monday are expected to be easterly 10-15 km/h then changing to south-easterly 15-20 km/hr by Tuesday morning. Smoke drift from fires north of the complex and from BC will continue to be seen across the Kettle River Complex area. See FireSmoke.ca for the most current smoke drift forecast.

(Screenshot from FireSmoke.ca of the Janvier and Conklin areas. Smoke drift from wildfires father north and from BC were seen in this area around 6 a.m., July 21, 2024)

LWF136 – This wildfire is located approximately 15 km northwest of the community of Janvier. It is currently 500 ha in size and classified as OUT OF CONTROL. There was an increase in fire activity late this afternoon due to ongoing, persistent hot and dry conditions. Resources committed to this wildfire include two heavy equipment groups, 64 firefighters and three task force team leads. Today crews continued to build the catguard followed up by firefighter crews with pumps and hose (either from water tenders and/or existing water sources) to prevent the wildfire from crossing Highway 881. Crews have been making good progress on the containment line. Helicopters were able to get out to perform some bucketing on this fire as smoke conditions permitted. Tanker support was not able to support this fire today due to smoke conditions; however, night vision helicopters have been ordered to perform overnight bucketing.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) has issued an evacuation alert for the hamlet of Janvier.

Alberta transportation may temporarily close Highway 881 due to variable smoke drift. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to-date information on highway closures.

LWF164 – This wildfire was detected July 17. It is located approximately 12 km northeast of Conklin along Highway 881. It is classified as OUT OF CONTROL at 936 ha. There are currently 14 firefighters committed to this wildfire. Today firefighter crews were able to assess access for heavy equipment for a tactical suppression plan in preparation for when they arrive. Tanker support was not able to support this fire today due to smoke conditions.

LWF152 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as OUT OF CONTROL at 406 ha. There are industrial facilities within a 10 km radius to the wildfires. If conditions permit, night bucketing may take place tonight.

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.