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.

With the August Long Weekend right around the corner, Alberta Wildfire would like to remind anyone heading out to our forested areas to be responsible.

Many areas of the province are under fire advisories, restrictions, and bans. Make sure to check the area you are going to ensure fires are permitted and be prepared if they are not. Propane fire pits are still allowed during a fire ban but wood burning fires are not.

The wildfire danger is growing in the province so be on high alert. If you are having a campfire, never leave it unattended and ensure it is fully extinguished before you leave.

To report wildfires in the province’s forested areas, call 310-FIRE.

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 179 wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area burning a total of 20,371 hectares (ha). There are currently 15 active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. Of those, six are out of control, seven are being held and two are under control.

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

Kettle River Complex (LCX001) |LWF164 and LWF152

The Kettle River Complex (LCX001) includes nine wildfires: LWF123, LWF126, LWF136, LWF141, LWF152, LWF156, LWF159, LWF164 and LWF175. An Ontario Incident Management Team (IMT) is now committed to managing personnel and resources assigned to the Kettle River Complex of wildfires.

After continued monitoring, eight of the complex’s smaller wildfires have been called out over the past several days:

LWF101 – 8.3 ha – EXTINGUISHED
LWF139 – 0.1 ha – EXTINGUISHED
LWF140 – 0.5 ha – EXTINGUISHED
LWF142 – 0.1 ha – EXTINGUISHED
LWF143 – 0.4 ha – EXTINGUISHED
LWF155 – 0.2 ha – EXTINGUISHED
LWF162 – 0.1 ha – EXTINGUISHED
LWF168 – 0.6 ha – EXTINGUISHED

High level infrared scans were performed overnight on three of the complex’s priority fires, LWF164, LWF152 and LWF136. Crews will focus on the hotspot targets identified by those scans.

Burning conditions are recovering following approximately 5 mm of rain on Kettle River Complex fires on Wednesday.

Fair and stable weather on Friday with temperatures expected to continue in the mid-20s. Winds will be from the west at 15 km/h, gusting to 30 km/h, switching to northwest in the afternoon.

Alberta Wildfire’s Goldstein Crew at work establishing hose line on LWF164 .

LWF152 - The status of this 474 ha wildfire is BEING HELD, and it is located approximately 22 km northeast of Conklin and 10 km southeast of Highway 881. A total of 40 wildland firefighters, four pieces of heavy equipment and five equipment personnel are assigned to LWF152. This wildfire is in close proximity (10 km radius) to industrial facilities. Firefighting crews will patrol and look for hotspots on the south and east flank of the fire. Crews will utilize bucket-equipped helicopters for hotspots.

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 4,431 ha.

LWF164 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL, and it is located approximately 12 km northeast of Conklin and has crossed highway 881 in certain areas. 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. Nodwell with water tanks will be used to find hotspots and extinguish to 100 feet inside the perimeter on the fire’s northeast corner, as well as to seek out hot spots on the east 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 km east of Winefred Lake. Crews flew over the fire area on July 26, to monitor for growth and fire activity.

Ontario Incident Management Team Operations Chief trainee Bill Bertrand briefs 60 South African firefighters who joined the Kettle River Complex, July 31.

There are currently seven 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 1,166 ha.

LWF169 - This wildfire was detected on July 21. It is classified as BEING HELD at 217 ha. This fire is located 6 km east of industry facility.

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 BEING HELD at 6,569 ha. The fire is located approximately 16 km northeast of Heart Lake in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.

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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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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