Lac La Biche Area Update

Lac La Biche Forest Area - June 05, 2022

Posted on Sun, Jun 05, 2022

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-extreme.jpgThe fire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is EXTREME

Report smoke or fire in the forest by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

fire advisory wide

A fire advisory is in effect for the Lac La Biche Forest Area.

Under this advisory:

Due to current and forecasted weather a Fire Advisory is in place for the Lac la Biche Forest Area. No new fire permits will be issued for non-essential burning. All existing fire permits remain valid.

Prohibited:

Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited.

Allowed:

Safe wood campfires *

Backyard fire pits

Portable propane fire pits

Gas or propane stoves and barbecues

Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

 

*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:

  1. a)    be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;
  2. b)    have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;
  3. c)    have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and
  4. d)    Municipalities, Parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

 The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.


WILDFIRE SITUATION

There are currently two wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. One wildfire is being held and one is under control at this time.

LWF094 - Being Held (BH) - 3.2 ha in size, located approximately 55 km southeast of Slave Lake. There are 24 firefighters, three helicopters and an airtanker actively working on this fire. Smoke may continue to be visible from Highway 2. 

There are no wildfires of note in the Lac La Biche Forest Area at this time. A wildfire of note is determined to be of significant public interest and may pose a threat to public safety, communities or critical infrastructure.


Wildfire_SoakIt_v2_Hubspot_1200x628

CAMPFIRE SAFETY

We urge everyone to use caution when working and recreating outdoors. Never leave your campfire unattended.

  • Never leave your campfire unattended! Always ensure it is properly extinguished when you are done with it. Soak it with water, stir it and soak it again until the ashes are cool to the touch.
  • 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.

  • Follow these guidelines to build a safe campfire: wildfire.alberta.ca/prevention/campfire-safety  

WF_Social-images (9)

OHV SAFETY

Use caution when riding your off-highway vehicle in forested areas.

  • Exhaust systems heat up to temperatures in excess of 204 degrees Celsius; hot enough to fry an egg and start a wildfire.
  • At these temperatures, built up materials and debris on your machine (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite.
  • The smouldering debris can drop to the ground as you’re riding, starting a wildfire.

Before you ride, clean any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine. During your ride, stop regularly to clean your hotspots. Dry grass and vegetation that accumulate near the exhaust, ignite and cause a wildfire when it falls to the ground. Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.


Fire Permit Online

NEW FIRE PERMIT PORTAL LAUNCHED

You can now request your fire permit online through a new online portal. During wildfire season, fire permits are required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, except for campfires.

Fire permits are free and help us track what is burning on the landscape. If you're burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. By getting a permit before burning, you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.

To request a fire permit online, visit the new portal. You will need a MyAlberta Digital ID to access the portal. Please note that you can still request your permit from the Lac La Biche forest office by calling 780-623-5388.


Wildfire Dashboard

NEW WILDFIRE DASHBOARD

The new wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

The dashboard builds on the former wildfire status map by displaying the most frequently accessed information in one convenient location.


wildfire app (3)

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device.

Available for Apple and Android.

Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.


For more information please contact: 

 

Provincial Wildfire Information Officer

780-420-1968

wildfireinfo@gov.ab.ca

 

Related Information

Websites:

Social Media:

Join the conversation on facebook.jpgtwitter.jpginstagram.jpg
 
Apps: