Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area has climbed to MODERATE.
The recent warm weather has been causing the snow to melt exposing large areas of dead grass. Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating in snow-free areas as the dead grass will ignite easily and fire will spread quickly.
if you spot a wildfire report it by calling 310-Fire (3473).
Wildfire updates will be provided weekly when the wildfire danger is low to moderate and daily when the wildfire danger reaches high to extreme. If you have any questions in the meantime contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.
Firefighters burning
Over the next several weeks, firefighters will be burning areas of dead dry grass around communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Burning is an efficient way to remove this extremely flammable fire fuel. Trained firefighters conduct these burns under specific weather conditions to ensure the fires are controlled and to minimize the impact of smoke to roadways and communities.
If you have any questions about these grass burns contact Wildfire Information Office Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.
Wildfire Situation
Since January 1st, 2022 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been seven wildfires which have burned 2.67 hectares. All seven of these wildfires were human caused: burning without a fire permit, burning outside fire permit conditions, spark from a saw into dry grass, and holdover fire from winter burning. All of these wildfires are preventable. Please do your part to prevent wildfires this spring by getting a fire permit before you burn, using caution in areas of dry grass and revisiting your winter burns to ensure they are extinguished.
SWF099 located northeast of Chipewyan Lakes which occurred in 2021 remains under control and will be scanned for hotspots in the spring when the snow has melted.
Since January 1st, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 87 wildfires which burned a total of 95.22 hectares.
For more information or to view the wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit Wildfire Status | AAF - Agriculture and Forestry (alberta.ca).
*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 province, 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.
*New* Fire Permit Portal
From March 1st to October 31st, a fire permit is required for any type of outdoor burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta with the exception of a campfire for cooking or warming.Fire permits help ensure that when smoke or fire is reported, wildfire officials can determine whether this is a wildfire or a permitted burn.
Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.
Fire permits can also still be requested over the phone by calling your local forest area office.
Red Earth/Slave Lake (780) 849-7377
High Prairie (780) 523-6619
Wabasca (780) 891-3860
Winter Burning
Do your part to prevent spring wildfires by revisiting your winter burns to ensure they are extinguished. If fires aren’t properly put out, they can spread and burn underground, under the snow and ice, all winter. Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires.
When checking your winter burns, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. If you see smoke or feel heat, the fire is still burning. Douse any remaining hotspots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes.
For more information on brush pile and windrow safe burning practices click here.
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.
Subscribe to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update to receive an email when new information is posted.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Updates will be provided weekly when the wildfire danger is low to moderate and daily when the wildfire danger reaches high to extreme.
Unless conditions change you can expect your next wildfire update on April 29, 2022.
If you have any questions please contact:
Leah Lovequist
Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile:780-849-0945
Email: leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca
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