Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update

Fire Advisory 1

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger is LOW for the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Slow-moving upper trough and surface cold front currently over eastern Alberta will continue to maintain mostly high humidities with some instability giving light to moderate RW and or chance of TRW activity in the province today. Generally near seasonal temperatures are expected in the province with mainly light to moderate NE-NW winds forecast in all zones.

Use caution while working or recreating in the forested areas and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

Wildfire Situation

There has been one new wildfire in the last 24 hours

Wildfires of Note

SWF151 located 50 kilometres north of Slave Lake and is under control and is 0.26 hectares in size.

SWF114 located 39 kilometres southwest of Sandy Lake is under control and is 85 hectares in size. Heavy equipment is working on reclaiming the fire guard.

SWF099 located 23 kilometres northeast of Chipewyan Lake is being held. Being held means under the current weather conditions and with the firefighting efforts that have been applied the wildfire is not expected to grow past predetermined boundaries.

The wildfire behaviour has diminished to shouldering. There hasn't been any significant growth over the last couple of days. The wildfire remains at 5,960 hectares in size and firefighters are routinely monitoring it.

Since this wildfire occurs in a zone where it does not threaten communities or resources it is allowed to burn onto the landscape naturally under the watchful eye of experienced fire managers. Using this wildfire management strategy has many benefits; it re-introduces fire onto the landscape, creates a break in the continuous fuels, reduces the intensity of the fire providing safety zones for our firefighting crews to work from and reduces the cost of fighting these wildfires.

Click here to view map of SWF099.

SWF079 and 083 are all under control and firefighters are monitoring these wildfires.

To view the wildfires on a map click here.

Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 151 wildfires which have burned 6,283.89 hectares.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca

Weather

On Friday, upper trough will continue to shift east with a default ridge building in behind giving generally stable conditions in most zones late in the day. However, another weak disturbance will likely move in from the BC coast and bring in some isolated or scattered RW TRW activity to the east slopes. Near or slightly below seasonal temperatures are forecast in all zones with moderate to high RH values. Generally light NE-NW winds will continue.

Smoke

Smoke from wildfires in other provinces and the United States may drift into the Slave Lake Forest Area. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to view the most current smoke forecast. If you are experiencing respiratory difficulties as a result of the smoke, please visit Alberta Health Link or dial 811.

Fire Advisory 1

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

Under this advisory:

Valid fire permits have been reinstated.
New fire permits will issued on an as needed basis.
The burning of brush piles, windrows, and/or other heavy debris is not permitted at this time.

Prohibited:

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

Allowed:

Safe wood campfires *
Backyard fire pits
Portable propane fire pits
Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:

Be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one meter around the fire.
Have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving.
Have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire.
Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and Municipalities, Parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Visit www.albertafirebans.ca for information on fire bans, restrictions and advisories across Alberta.

Fire Permits

From now until October 31st, a fire permit is required for any burning, except a campfire, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

To request your free fire permit call your local Agriculture and Forestry office.

Red Earth/Slave Lake 780-849-7377

Wabasca 780-891-3860

High Prairie 780-523-6619

Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape. If you're burning without a fire permit or outside of fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. By getting a permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.

Wildfire Information

Download the new 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.

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.

WildfireApp_v2_1200x628

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.