Lac La Biche Forest Area Wildfire Update - July 24, 2024 (8:30 p.m.)

Visit AB 511 for up-to-date information on road closures in the forest area.

A fire ban 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.

LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche forest area is now EXTREME. This means that the 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 have been 174 wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area burning a total of 18,873 hectares (ha).

There are currently 38 active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Of those, 17 are out of control, 13 are being held and eight are under control.

To view active wildfires on a map, visit Alberta Wildfire Status.

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.

There are 152 firefighters and support personnel, nine helicopters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the wildfire complex.

Ontario IMT

A new Incident Management team arrived in Lac La Biche on Jul 24. They have been deployed to help out on the kettle River Wildfire Complex.

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

Alberta transportation has reopened highway 881. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to-date information on highway closures.

The forecast for Wednesday is 24C. North-northeasterly winds are expected at 10-15 km/h (gusts up to 30 km/h). Strong winds develop on Thursday with southwest gusts potentially reaching 50 km/h. There is some uncertainty about rainfall amounts and timing for the Lac la Biche area; however, the heaviest rain may occur on Friday.

LWF136 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL, and it is located approximately 12 km northwest of the community of Janvier. It is currently estimated at 765 ha. 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 made good progress establishing the remaining hoselines on the guard to the south.

LWF164 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL, and it is located approximately 12km northeast of Conklin and south of Highway 881. This wildfire was remapped this afternoon and has been resized to 1,400 ha. There are six pieces heavy equipment, six wildland firefighters to this wildfire. Construction of the guard on the line west of Highway 881 is complete. A Firetack crew made good progress establishing hoselines along the dozer guard on the west side of Highway 881, and heavy equipment made good progress establishing the dozer guard along the eastern and southern sides of the wildfire. A night-vision helicopter request has been made for bucketing along the highway corridor.

LWF141 – The status of this wildfire is UNDER CONTROL, and it is located about 3km northwest of Chard. This wildfire was recently remapped and is now approximately 36 ha. On Thursday a dozer group will be heading to this wildfire to begin working on a containment line on the east side of the fire.

LWF152 - This wildfire was detected July 16. It is classified as OUT OF CONTROL at 465 ha. There are industrial facilities within a 10 km radius to the wildfires. This wildfire is being monitored for growth and fire activity.

LWF159 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL, and it is located in Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park about 12km east of Winefred Lake No. 194B. This wildfire was recently remapped and is now approximately 4,432 ha.

LWF165 - (Lac La Biche Forest Area) -This fire is now being managed by the Algar Lake Complex (since July 23). It is classified as out of control and is currently estimated at 1,750 hectares.

there are two Firetack crews, two Helitack crews, An 11 person heavy equipment team, five pieces of heavy equipment and two helicopters

Firefighter from a helitack crew works the western portion of LWF165 (evening of July 23, 2024).

LWF165 started on July 17. It is located 20 km south of Crow Lake.

Northeast winds develop this evening, persisting overnight as surface low pressure develops to the south. Rain and north-northwest winds continue Thursday as the low tracks north and east, with rain and northwesterlies dominating Friday into Saturday as the system departs. Southwesterlies develop Sunday along a new low’s trough axis.

Heavy equipment have completed control lines around the portion of LWF165 which is located on the west side of the highway.

Firefighters will continue to establish hose lines today on the west side of Highway 63, while also actioning hot spots, with the aim of limiting any further impacts to the roadway.

Travellers along highway 63 may see bucketing helicopters picking up water to the east of the roadway as they work action hot spots on this fire throughout the day. For the safety of all travellers and of emergency personnel, please do not stop along the roadway to watch the air operations.

Smoke continues to drift into the area of the Algar Lake Complex from active fires in northern Alberta, northern Saskatchewan and the Canadian Territories. Please ensure you have your lights turned on when travelling in the area, and drive according to the conditions. For up to date information about road conditions, visit 511 Alberta.

There are plans to have infrared scanning down on LWF165 tonight, weather permitting.

There are currently 17 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.

LWF173- This wildfire was detected on July 23. It is classified as out of control at 6 ha. There is currently one helitack crew on tis fire. We are conducting early morning tanker operations weather permitting.

LWF171 - This wildfire was detected on July 22. It is classified as out of control at 40 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. There is currently one helitack crew

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. There has been minimal growth on this fire today.

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 1,290 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 4,432 ha. This wildfire is located in the Dillion Lake Provincial Park and is 20 km north of Winefred Lake and 10 km east of Chipewyan Prairie First Nations cabins. This wildfire is being monitored and assessed.

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 smoke. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to-date information on highway closures.

Fire Ban banner

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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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.

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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

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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.

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