Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update

early fire season - 2024

Wildfire season starts today

Alberta’s wildfire season is starting early this year. The early start is due to the drought conditions occurring in many areas of the province, which could lead to elevated fire danger if we do not receive significant rain in the spring.

Please do your part to help prevent human caused wildfires by using caution in forested areas. Now’s the time to go back and check on any winter burn projects to make sure they are fully extinguished.

Fire permits are now required

Fire permits are now required for any outdoor burning with the exception of campfires.

Fire permits are free and can be requested online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca to request your fire permit online.You may also request your fire permit by calling your local Forestry Office.

Wabasca 780-891-3860

Slave Lake 780-849-7377

High Prairie 780-523-6619

Stay informed of fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Firebans.

3 March 11 Check your burns

Check your winter burns

Firefighters are urging anyone 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.

If your winter burn remains active, promptly contact your local Forestry Office to request a fire permit.

For information on brush pile and windrow safe burning practices click here.

Current wildfire situation

Since January 1st, 2024, one new wildfire was reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area. On January 17th, the Red Earth Creek Fire Department and Alberta wildfire responded to and extinguished SWF001 which was an abandoned campfire.The eight wildfires from the 2023 wildfire season remain under control.

Since January 1st, 2024, 17 wildfires have been reported in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, resulting in a total burned area of 14.54 hectares.

To view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard

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FireSmart Alberta

Wildfires are part of our history, and we know they will be a part of our future. Visit www.firesmartalberta.ca to learn how you can reduce the risk and negative impact of wildfire to your home, neighbourhood and community.

We're hiring

Are you interested in joining the Alberta Wildfire team this summer? We hire a variety of positions, and a number of these positions are now available to apply on. Click here to learn more.

Wildfire information

The 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.

Download the Alberta Wildfire app 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.

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

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