Slave Lake Area Update

A fire advisory is now in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Under this advisory:

• Existing fire permits are still valid but may be suspended or cancelled if dry conditions continue
• No new fire permits will be issued for non-essential burning (windrows, machine piled brush piles, and related burning activities)
• All other fire permits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

 Prohibited:

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

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.

When operating equipment, clear debris from moving parts, check your muffler and keep equipment in good repair. Do not operate equipment in tall grass. Keep watch of your surroundings and ensure you have sufficient firefighting equipment and water available. Equipment fires or work-related sparks, friction and hot exhaust can cause even small amounts of dry fuels to ignite into a wildfire and spread easily.

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve. Firefighters thank you for your cooperation.

Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Since January 1, 2023  in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 36 wildfires burning a total of 79.45 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 189 wildfires burning a total 597.82 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.

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