Lac La Biche Area Update

The wildfire danger rating in the Lac La Biche Forest Area will be MODERATE tomorrow.

Today started out hot and dry. The many lightning strikes throughout the Forest Protection Area led to new fire starts. The forecast for tomorrow calls for further unstable weather with a temperature of 23 degrees and 40 percent humidity. More thunderstorms are expected.

Today’s lightning may bring additional new ignitions. Please report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.

Wildfire Situation

There are currently eight wildfires burning in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. As well, two fires that are in proximity to this Forest Area but in the Slave Lake Forest Area are being actioned by Lac La Biche crews. The violent weather experienced in late afternoon caused delays for our crews and aircraft, but all have returned to actively suppressing these fires.

Fire LWF132 was discovered today, and its cause is under investigation. It is Out of Control at 1.2 hectares. There are currently 9 firefighters, 1 helicopter and air tanker support working to contain this fire.

Fire LWF133 was discovered today, and its cause is under investigation. It is Out of Control at 1 hectare. There are currently 4 firefighters, 1 helicopter and air tanker support working to contain this fire.

Fire LWF134 was discovered today, and its cause is under investigation. It is being held at 0.01h hectare. There are currently 4 firefighters, 1 helicopter and air tanker support working to contain this fire and to protect values at risk within 0.5 kilometres.

Fires SWF084 and SWF086 were both discovered today, and lightning caused. Both are Out of Control at 0.01 hectare each. There are currently four firefighters and air tanker support working to contain these fires. The Lac La Biche Forest Area is assisting the Slave Lake Forest Area with theses incidents.

The above five fires are in the Bovine area, south of Grand Rapids.

Fire LWF135 was discovered today, and its cause is under investigation. It is Out of Control at 0.01 hectare. There are currently 9 firefighters and 1 helicopter working to contain this fire.

Fire LWF136 was discovered today, and its cause is under investigation. It is Out of Control at 0.01 hectare. There are currently 9 firefighters and 1 helicopter working to contain this fire.

Fire LWF137 was discovered today, and its cause is under investigation. It is Out of Control at 0.1 hectare. There are currently 3 firefighters and 1 helicopter working to contain this fire.

The above three fires are located north and east of wandering river.

Fire LWF130 was discovered July 2 and was lightning caused. It is under control at 1.3 hectares. Today 9 firefighters and one helicopter patrolled the fire and found no new hotspots. They will continue to monitor the area.

Fire LWF129 was also discovered July 2, and lightning caused. It continues to be held at 372 hectares. Firefighters are using a mixture of water and foam to allow for better ground penetration given the level of dryness observed. Today there were 52 firefighters, 6 management staff, 3 pieces of heavy equipment, and 4 helicopters working to suppress the fire. At this time the fire is not threatening any lives or property. The community of Janvier is approximately 20 km to the northwest and Conklin is approximately 40 km to the southwest.

To view the wildfires on a map, download the new AB Wildfire Status App.

A FIRE RESTRICTION remains in place for the Lac La Biche Forest Area due to hot and dry conditions, which are increasing the fire danger.

Under this restriction:

• Existing fire permits are suspended;
• All outdoor fires presently burning under permit must be extinguished, unless approved to continue by a Forest Officer;
• Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds and backyard fire pits are allowed.

Prohibited:

• Wood campfires on public land
• Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

• Wood campfires on private land
• Wood campfires within provincial campgrounds in a designated campfire ring
• Backyard fire pits on private land
• Charcoal briquette barbeques
• Propane or natural gas fueled appliances
• Indoor wood fires
• Open flame oil devices

Remember to check the hot spots on your Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and remove debris before and after use.

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.

Provincial Wildfire Situation

As of 10 a.m. July 10, 2021 there were 43 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta (FPA). Four of these wildfires are out of control, 17 are being held, 21 are under control, and 1 has been turned over to the responsible party.

Since March 1, there have been 743 wildfires in the FPA, burning a total of 5,479 ha.

OHV Safety

If you are operating an off-highway vehicle, remember to stop often and check your hotspots.

An off-highway vehicle exhaust can reach temperatures of over 200 Celsius, causing debris caught near the exhaust to become superheated. This debris can potentially start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.

New Alberta Wildfire App

Download the new 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.

Available for Apple and Android.

Campfire Safety

We urge everyone to use caution when working and recreating outdoors. Never leave your campfire unattended. Before leaving, be sure to soak your campfire, stir it and soak it again.

For more information between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., please contact: 

Melanie Morin

Wildfire Information Officer

780-623-5272

wildfireinfo@gov.ab.ca 

Related Information

Websites:

• Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Fire Bans
• FireSmart in Alberta
• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• Air Quality Health Index
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
• 511 Road Reports
• Emergency Preparation
  

Social Media:

Join the conversation on

• • Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
  • Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.