Firefighters with helicopters, heavy equipment and airtankers are stationed throughout the area ready to fight any new wildfires that may start. By doing your part to prevent wildfires you help keep our firefighting personnel free to fight existing wildfires and any new wildfires that may start. Human caused wildfires are 100 per cent preventable. Never leave your campfire unattended and when riding your off-highway vehicle be sure to stop frequently to knock off the build up of debris around your muffler.
Wildfire Hazard
Very strong and gusty winds are expected late this evening.The wildfire hazard remains EXTREME for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area.Use caution while out enjoying our forests and report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).The forests are very dry and under windy conditions a wildfire will spread very quickly.
Weather Forecast
Strong and gusty winds are expected late this evening. Winds will be from the west 25 gusting 40 kilometres per hour.
For tomorrow the warm and dry conditions are expected to continue for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake. For areas north of Lesser Slave Lake temperatures will be cooler, there is a chance of showers and winds will be from the east 20 kilometres per hour.
Until there is rain on the ground, conditions will remain very dry and a wildfire will spread very quickly.
Wildfire Situation as of 7:00 pm July 8th
There was one new wildfire this evening. It is located east of Utikuma Lake and has burned 7.8 hectares. Airtankers have slowed the spread and firefighters with helicopters continue to fight this wildfire.
Since April 1, in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area there have been 194 wildfires that have burned a total of 9,815.6 hectares.Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment continue to fight four out of control wildfires burning in the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area. Communities are not being threatened.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 140 was caused by lightning on June 30th and is located 60 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. This wildfire is spreading to the east into a wet area. Airtankers are en route and will be used to knock down areas of open flame. This wildfire has burned 1753 hectares.
Slave Lake Wildfire number 163 started on June 30th and is located north of kilometre 20 on highway 754.Good progress continues to be made on this wildfire.The dozers have completed a guard around 90 per cent of the wildfire and firefighters have set up pumps and hose to douse the smoldering ground fires along the edges of the fire guard. There are 84 firefighters,eight helicopters and many pieces of heavy equipment fighting this wildfire. This wildfire had burned 1940 hectares.
For the safety of our firefighting personnel please slow down and follow the posted speed limit.
Check the Alberta Wildfire App or click here for the location and status of these wildfires. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.
For information on the wildfires burning in Alberta visit the Wildfire Status Map at www.wildfire.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Wildfire App.
A FIRE ADVISORY for the Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area is in effect as of 10:00 am July 2. Existing permits are suspended and no new permits will be issued. Exceptions are burn barrels, smudges, sweat lodges and smokehouses.These will be allowed. A valid permit is required and conditions must be followed. Safe campfires are allowed in backyards, campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas.
Fire works in the Forest Protection Area are not allowed at this time.
Check www.albertafirebans.ca for up to date information on the fire advisory.
We thank you for your cooperation. Abiding by the fire advisory you help keep our firefighters free to fight existing wildfires any new wildfires that may start.
Thanks for doing your part to help prevent wildfires.
Soak it, Stir it up and Soak it Again
Make sure your campfire is out. Soak it thoroughly, stir it up and soak it thoroughly again. Hold your hand above the ashes to check for heat. Click here to learn how you can make sure your campfire is out.
Help prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle
When riding your off-highway vehicle be sure to stop often and clean any debris from the hotspots. Unchecked, the debris can build up, begin to smolder and fall away sparking a wildfire. Click here to learn how you can prevent wildfires while riding your off-highway vehicle.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update July 9th.
Leah Lovequist- Wildfire Information Officer
Slave Lake Wildfire Management Area
Office: 780.849.7412
Mobile: 780.849.0945
Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
To report wildfires call 310-FIRE
For information about wildfires in Alberta follow us on Twitter @ABGovWildfire or Facebook. Download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices.