Lac La Biche Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area has dropped to HIGH. 

The fire ban and quad restriction remain in effect until further notice.  Not all areas have received precipitation, and in some places rain has been quite light.  We are monitoring the situation and will let you know as soon as there is a change to the fire ban and quad restriction.  In the meantime, thanks for your co-operation. 

There are currently no active wildfires in the area. Smoke in the area is from fires across northern Alberta.  

The forecast is for cooler temperatures, some precipitation and strong and gusty winds over the next couple of days.  There is also the risk of lightning. It will take a few days of concentrated rain to make a difference to the dry conditions in the forest, and to lower the wildfire danger.

All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve substantially.

Current Situation 

We didn't have any new wildfires today! Thank you for your diligence - for not burning and for giving up campfires and OHVs for the past weeks.

There is just one wildfire in the area, on patrol status from last month.  So far this season we've had 113 wildfires in the area.

We have 21 crews, 4 helicopters, and the airtankers on hand to fight wildfires tomorrow.

Prohibited

• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, back country and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.
• Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
• Fireworks and exploding targets.
• The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands. 

Allowed

• Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
• Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.
• Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.
• OHVs for industrial use, agricultural use, and traditional use by Indigenous peoples, as well as use on private lands. 

The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. 

OHV Restriction

Prohibited

• The recreational use of OHVs on public lands and provincial parks, including designated OHV trails.

What is an OHV?

• An “off-highway vehicle” is a motorized vehicle designed to go beyond defined roadways, including but not limited to:
• Quads;
• Side by sides;
• Dirt bikes;
• 4x4 Jeeps;
• Pick-up trucks; or
• Sport utility vehicles.

Exceptions

The OHV restriction does not apply to private land or agriculture, institutional (educational), commercial/ industrial, emergency response or Indigenous peoples who use OHV for traditional use.

To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV Restriction visit www.albertafirebans.ca

If you spot a wildfire, call 310-FIRE! 

Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire.  For more information, contact:

 Leslie Lozinski

Wildfire Information Officer

780-623-9758