Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update - August 3, 2021 at 8:00 pm

Posted on Tue, Aug 03, 2021

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Current Wildfire Situation

August 3,2021 at 8:00 pm

Lightning sparked six new wildfires north of Wabasca this evening. Airtankers and helicopters bucketing were successful in slowing the spread of all wildfires. Firefighters are on the ground working to extinguish these wildfires which range in size from 0.01 to 4 hectares.

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger is HIGH to VERY HIGH in the Slave Lake Forest Area. 

Under the warm and dry conditions today, any spark will ignite a fire and the fire will spread quickly.

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

310-FIRE.

wildfire danger Aug 3

Wildfire Situation

There was one new wildfire yesterday morning just south of Utikuma Lake. The 0.1 hectare grass fire was extinguished quickly by firefighters.

Wildfires of Note

SWF123 located nine kilometres northeast of Kinuso has been extinguished.

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 did experience some growth on the north, east and south over the past few days and is now 5, 019.2 hectares in size. The wildfire has not grown past the predetermined boundaries. The active areas of the wildfire are over 20 to 30 kilometres away from the community of Chipewyan Lake. The wildfire is not threatening the community. Yesterday the fire behavior was diminished due to cooler temperatures and high amount of moisture in the air. In the evening the airtankers worked on containing and cooling the southern end. Today firefighters in helicopters are working to extinguish hotspots on the south end. Tomorrow smoke and ash may be seen in the community due to the north winds in the forecast.

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, 083 and 097 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 126 wildfires which have burned 5,342.12 hectares.

Since March 1, 2021, there have been 1010 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, burning a total of 50,147.01 hectares. 

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

On Alert

Firefighters anticipate new wildfire starts due to the recent and expected lightning activity. Fire lookouts are on high alert constantly watching for smoke and firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are ready to respond.

Weather

The forecast is calling for a high of 27 degrees and winds from the west at 15-20 gusting up to 35 kilometres per hour. There is a moderate to high risk of lightning today.

Smoke

Smoke from wildfires in other provinces and the United States has drifted 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. 

Do your part to prevent wildfires

Photo: SWF091 Abandoned campfire found at a day use area north of Slave Lake. 

On the afternoon of Sunday July 11th an off-duty firefighter found an abandoned campfire in a day use area north of Slave Lake. The smouldering campfire was extinguished by firefighters in 10 minutes.

Firefighters want to remind everyone to take the time to put out your campfire before you leave.

When putting out your campfire:

  • Spread the embers within the fire pit, then add water or loose dirt and stir.
  • Expose any materials still burning, then add more water and stir again until you can no longer see smoke or steam.
  • Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch. You should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes.

swf123 agriculture fire-1

Photo: SWF123 July 28 at 5:57pm Grass fire caused by farming equipment. 

Photo: SWF125 August 1 at 11:17 am Grass fire caused by farming equipment.

Firefighters want to remind everyone that conditions are extremely dry and any spark will ignite a fire.

When using any type of machinery including off-highway vehicles take the following precautions:

  • Clear debris from moving parts.
  • Check your muffler.
  • Keep the equipment in good repair.
  • Avoid operating equipment in tall grass.
  • Keep watch of your surroundings.
  • Always carry firefighting equipment on board, a fire extinguisher, axe, shovel and a receptacle filled with at least five litres of water.  

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. 

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Subscribe to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update to receive an email when new information is posted.

Join the conversation on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

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Updates are 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 August 4th, 2021.

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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