Visit AB 511 for up-to-date information on road closures in the forest area.
A fire ban is remains in effect for the Lac La Biche Forest Area.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest area please call 310-FIRE (3473) to report it.
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.
There are 138 firefighters and support personnel, seven helicopters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the wildfire complex.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) has issued an evacuation alert for the hamlet of Janvier.
Alberta transportation has temporarily closed Highway 881 due to this wildfire. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to-date information on highway closures.
An organized cold front will move across the fire complex this afternoon/evening with winds shifting from southeast to southwest - west 20-25 km/h (gusts 40-45 km/h) to southwest-west 15-20 km/hr (gusts 35-40 km/hr) by 4 p.m., then west-northwest 15-20 km/h (gusts 35-40 km/hr) near 7 p.m. Cooler and humid conditions will return to the fire area by Wednesday with the possibility of light to moderate rain and showers bringing 5-10 mm of precipitation.
LWF136 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL, and it is located approximately 15 km northwest of the community of Janvier. It is currently estimated at 500 ha in size. Today, crews will continue to reinforce the containment lines using water pumps and hoses. Heavy equipment has completed the construction of the guard around the fire's perimeter. Ground crews will continue to establish hoselines on the guard south, and helicopters are ready to support crews and heavy equipment if necessary.
LWF164 – This wildfire was detected July 17. It is located approximately 12km northeast of Conklin along Highway 881. It is classified as OUT OF CONTROL at 936 ha.
There are 6 pieces heavy equipment assigned to this wildfire. Last night, night-vision helicopters were able to bucket on the portion of the fire that had jumped Highway 881 and were successful in keeping it contained. Today, heavy equipment groups will work the west side of Highway 881. We continue to monitor and reassess this wildfire throughout the day. There are plans to build dozer guards around the east and south side of this fire, when it's safe to do so.
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. This wildfire is being monitored for growth and fire activity.
There are currently 18 wildfires burning out of control in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. View other active wildfires, their locations and stats on the interactive map on our Wildfire Status page.
LWF171 - This wildfire was detected on July 22. It is classified as out of control at 60 ha. There are several industrial facilities and fishing/camping lodges with in a 10 - 20 KM radius. The hamlet of Conklin is 30 KM northwest of this wildfire.
LWF169 - This wildfire was detected on July 21. It is classified as out of control at 146 ha. This fire is located 6 km east of industry facility. We have had some bucketing suppression, however, visibility is limited.
LWF165 - This wildfire was detected July 17. It is currently classified as out of control at 1,750 ha. It is located approximately 23 km south of Crow Lake. This fire crossed highway 63 in the early evening causing it to close in both directions. The highway opened up again at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. We have a dozer crew on site building guards, and two crews are also on route.
LWF147 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as out of control at 6,569 ha. The fire is located approximately 16 km northeast of Heart Lake in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. This fire is under investigation.
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.
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 and is 20 km north of Winefred Lake.
LWF123 - This wildfire was detected July 11. It is classified as out of control at 531 hectares (ha). This wildfire is located in north east corner of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. This fire is under investigation.
Alberta transportation may temporarily close Highway 63 due this wildfire. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to-date information on highway closures.
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.
DRONES are not allowed to be flown within 5 nautical miles (or 9.3 kilometers) of a wildfire.
If you fly a drone within this distance of a wildfire, it immediately halts 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, go to the Government of Alberta website.
For more information from Transport Canada about drones near wildfires, visit Transport Canada's website.
FIRESMART
Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow. Visit FireSmart Alberta to learn how taking proactive FireSmart measures around your house and yard can increase your property's resistance to wildfire.
Download the Farm and Acreage Guide to Reducing the Risk From Wildfire for additional information.
WILDFIRE INFORMATION
Subscribe to forest area updates to receive them in your inbox.
Download the AB Wildfire Status app, and select the "i" at the bottom to see the most recent update. Sign up to be notified when a new update is published.
Visit Alberta Wildfire for more information on the current wildfire situation.
Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect in your area.
For more information, please contact:
LCX001 Information:
Amy Peltonen
PH: 1-249-622-1654
Ontario Fire Information Officer
RELATED INFORMATION
Websites:
- Alberta Wildfire
- Alberta Fire Bans
- FireSmart Alberta
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Air Quality Health Index
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation
Social media:
Apps: