Lac La Biche Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche forest area is now VERY HIGH. 

When the fire danger level is very high, fire is expected to start easily and could challenge suppression efforts.

Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating outdoors. Under the warm and dry conditions, a fire can ignite easily and will spread quickly. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

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A fire advisory and restriction is in effect for areas in the Lac La Biche Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions

Under this advisory:

• All existing fire permits remain valid.

• New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.

Permitted:

• Safe wood campfires on private and public land, including backyard fire pits

• Charcoal briquette barbeques

• Propane/natural gas powered appliances 

• Open flame oil devices 

• Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

• Indoor wood fires

Prohibited:

• Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire 

• Fireworks and exploding targets 

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve. 

For more information on where the advisory or restriction is within the forest area, please visit the Alberta Fire Bans website.

Portions of the Lac La Biche Forest Area are under a fire restriction. Existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.

Permitted:

• Safe wood campfires in a designated campground, on private land and in backyard fire pits
• Charcoal briquette barbeques
• Propane/natural gas powered appliances
• Open flame oil devices
• Indoor wood fires
  

Prohibited:

• Wood campfires on public land
• Fireworks and exploding targets

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

For more information on where the advisory or restriction is within the forest area, please visit the Alberta Fire Bans website.

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Air Quality alerts 

Environment Canada has issued another air quality alert for the Lac La Biche area. Due to wildfire smoke, air quality and visibility can fluctuate over short distances and vary considerably from hour to hour.

To see forecasted smoke, please visit FireSmoke.ca. If you have smoke related health concerns, please visit or contact Alberta 811.

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The Kettle River Complex (LCX001) includes 11 wildfires: LWF123, LWF126, LWF136, LWF147, LWF154, LWF156, LWF159, LWF164, LWF169, LWF175 and LWF185. An Ontario Incident Management Team (IMT) is committed to managing personnel and resources assigned to the Kettle River Complex of wildfires.

Infrared drone-based scanning continues on fires in the complex, identifying hotspot targets for firefighters to extinguish.

Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 25 degrees Celsius today in the Kettle River Complex area with relative humidity values in the 30-35% range. Winds will be northwest to northeast ranging from 15-20 km/h and gusting up to 30 km/h. Cooler temperatures are forecasted to arrive Friday with the possibility of rain.

Following several warm days with no significant precipitation there has been an increase in fire behaviour on some fires in the complex, including LWF123, LWF147 and LWF159. Smoke drift from these fires has been observed in surrounding areas.

LWF123 – the status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL and is estimated at 2,120 ha in size. The fire is located approximately 5 km north of South Watchusk Lake. This fire is being monitored for growth and fire activity.

LWF147 – The status of this fire is BEING HELD at 6,397 ha. The fire is located approximately 16 km northeast of Heart Lake in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. There are 72 firefighters and personnel assigned to this fire. Helicopters continue to move crews into positions to patrol and extinguish hotspots.

South African firefighters arrive for the day on LWF147 (August 11).

LWF154 – The status of this wildfire is BEING HELD and is estimated at  1,248 ha. A total of 57 firefighters and personnel are assigned to this fire. Crews are establishing helipads around the fire perimeter and extinguishing hotspots to prevent fire spread to the east.

LWF156 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL and is estimated at 384 ha in size. This fire was detected on July 16, 2024. This fire is being monitored for growth and activity.

LWF159 – The status of this wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL and is estimated at 5,552 ha in size. This fire is located in the Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park about 12km east of Winefred Lake No. 194B. This wildfire is being monitored for growth and activity.

LWF164 – The status of this wildfire is UNDER CONTROL and is estimated at 1,547 ha in size. The fire is located 12 km northeast of Conklin and has shown minimal fire behaviour over the past several days and continues to be monitored for fire activity.

LWF175 – The status of the wildfire is OUT OF CONTROL. This fire is estimated at 128 ha in size and located in Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park, approximately 12 km east of Winefred Lake. This fire is being monitored for growth and activity. 

LWF185 – The status of this wildfire is BEING HELD. This fire is estimated at 0.01 ha in size. This wildfire is located approximately 6.5 km east of Highway 881 in the northwest corner of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. This fire was detected on August 13 and was caused by lightning. Helicopters bucketing on LWF147 were able to quickly respond.

Ontario and Australian Safety Officers meet at daily briefing before firefighters depart to the fireline (August 11).

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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

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WILDFIRE INFORMATION 

Subscribe to Lac La Biche forest area updates to receive them in your inbox. 

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. 

• Apple
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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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For more information, please contact:  

Kettle River Wildfire Complex 

Alison Bezubiak

Ontario Information Officer

Cell: 1-807-323-3743

wf.lcx0012024-iof.i@gov.ab.ca

 

 

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RELATED INFORMATION

Websites:

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

Social media:

Apps:

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