Slave Lake Area Update

Since January 1, 2023  in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 15 wildfires burning a total of 23.78 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 96 wildfires burning a total 207.96 hectares.

For more information on wildfires in Alberta click here.

Check Your Winter Burns

Firefighters are urging everyone who has conducted winter burning to go back and ensure the fires are out. With the dry conditions last fall and lack of moisture in the ground, there is potential for fires lit this winter to continue to burn under the snow and re-emerge as wildfires in the spring.

To prevent spring holdover wildfires revisit your brush pile or windrow burning projects to ensure the fires are extinguished.

• Spread out the remaining material.
• Soak the area and ensure both heat and smoke are no longer being produced.
• Check your burn site multiple times in the coming weeks to ensure it has not reignited.

For information on brush pile and windrow safe burning practices click here.

If your winter burns remain active promptly contact your local Slave Lake Forest Area Office. We are also asking that you please report your winter burning locations by calling Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Technologist, Russell Murphy at 780-849-7457.

Prevent Wildfires

Spring is the time of year when wildfires are 100 per cent preventable. Most if not all of the wildfires we see at this time of year are human-caused. Please remember to do your part and prevent wildfires.

When riding your off-highway vehicle stop frequently to remove any build-up of debris from your machine. Grass, muskeg, moss or other debris can begin to smoulder and drop to the ground as you're riding and spark a wildfire. Always carry firefighting equipment - a shovel, extinguisher and bucket when you ride.

When having a campfire, keep it small, safe and always attended. When you are leaving your site or headed to bed, your campfire must be extinguished. Soak it, stir up the ashes, soak it again to ensure it is out.

Fire Permits 

From March 1 to October 31, fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Fire permits help us track what is burning on the landscape. If you are burning without a permit or not following permit conditions, your fire could be considered a wildfire and you could be fined and may be responsible for the costs of suppressing the fire. By getting a fire permit, you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.

Fire permits are free and are now available online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca for information on how to make a request online.

Fire permits are also still available, by request, from your Slave Lake Forest Area Office.

• Wabasca 780-891-3860
• Slave Lake 780-849-7377
• High Prairie 780-523-6619