Lac La Biche Forest Area Wildfire Update

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

The fire ban has been lifted for most areas in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. However, Fire zone 41 still remains under a fire ban.

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 MODERATE.

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 177 wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area burning a total of 20,487 hectares (ha). There are currently 20 active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Of those, nine are out of control, five are being held and two are under control.

In the last 24-hours crews have been able to extinguish three more wildfires in our area.

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

Kettle River Complex (LCX001) |LWF164 and LWF152

The Kettle River Complex (LCX001) includes 17 wildfires: LWF101, LWF123, LWF126, LWF136, LWF139, LWF140, LWF141, LWF142, LWF143, LWF152, LWF155, LWF156, LWF159, LWF162, LWF164, LWF168 and LWF175. An Ontario Incident Management Team (IMT) is now committed to managing personnel and resources assigned to the Kettle River Complex of wildfires.

Two 20-person SOPFEU crews from Quebec are briefed by Ontario IMT Operations Chief Bill Payne after arriving at the Kettle River Complex, July 29.

The Incident Management Team continues to support additional firefighting personnel (140) that are joining the complex this week:

- 40 wildland firefighters from Quebec arrived at the complex and were briefed on Monday afternoon.
- 40 wildland firefighters from Australia are expected to arrive today (July 30).
- 60 wildland firefighters from South Africa are expected to arrive on Wednesday, July 31.

Shower and thunderstorm potential increases throughout the day in advance of a cold front. Temperatures in the mid-20s are expected with forecasted relative humidity values in the 50 percent range. Winds will be out of the west/southwest at 15-20 km/h.

LWF152 -The status of this 474 ha wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL, and it is located approximately 22 km northeast of Conklin and 10 km southeast of Highway 881. Operations staff will assess hotspot areas for bucket-equipped helicopters and prepare to place firefighting crews on the southwestern and northeastern parts of the fire in the coming days. This wildfire is in close proximity (10 km radius) to industrial facilities. 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 12 km east of Winefred Lake No. 194B. This wildfire is approximately 4,294 ha.

LWF164 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL, and it is located approximately 12 km northeast of Conklin and south of Highway 881. This is approximately 1,400 ha. With operations on the west side of Hwy. 881 complete, firefighters are now establishing hoseline on the perimeter of the fire’s northeast ‘finger’. Heavy equipment will continue to establish a dozer guard along the west side of Hwy. 881 and along the northeast corner and southeast perimeter.

LWF175 – The status of the wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL. This fire is approximately 125 ha in size and located in Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park, approximately 12 kilometres east of Winefred Lake. Crews flew over the fire area on July 26, to monitor for growth and fire activity.

Hose ‘melons’ from demobilized areas on LWF-136 waits to be redeployed to other priority fires in the Kettle River Complex.

There are currently nine 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.

LWF165 - This wildfire was detected July 17. It is located 20 km south of Crow Lake. This fire is now being managed by the Algar Lake Complex (since July 23). It is classified as BEING HELD and is currently estimated at 1,451 ha.

LWF169 - This wildfire was detected on July 21. It is classified as OUT OF CONTROL at 217 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.

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.

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.

FIRE BANS

The fire ban has been lifted in most parts of the Lac La Biche Forest Area. A fire ban remains on the fire zone 41 area.

For more information regarding fire bans you can visit Albertafirebans.ca

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Safe campfire

CAMPFIRE SAFETY

SOAK IT, STIR IT, AND SOAK IT AGAIN

Let the fire burn down before you plan on putting it out. Spread the embers within the fire pit, then add water or loose dirt, and stir.
Expose any material still burning. Add more water and stir again until you can no longer see smoke or steam. Do not bury your fire as the embers may continue to smolder and can re-emerge as a wildfire.
Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch.
If your fire is out, you should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes
Alberta wildfire typically sees an increase in human-caused wildfires during long weekends.

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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.

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GET YOUR FREE FIRE PERMIT

All burning within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta requires a fire permit, with the exception of a campfire. You can get your free fire permit by applying online or by contacting the Whitecourt Forest Area office at 780-778-7166.

Please help our staff by planning ahead. As the season gets busy, there may be delays for a forest officer to visit your site. Contact us or submit for your permit online as early as possible to ensure you have your permit for when you need it.

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

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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:

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