Wildfire Danger
Warm weather and winds have caused the wildfire danger to climb to HIGH in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
Click here to view the wildfire danger map.
Firefighters urge everyone to use caution as the dead grass will ignite easily and a wildfire will spread quickly under windy conditions. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3743).
Fire lookouts are on high alert constantly watching for smoke and firefighters in helicopters and airtankers are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.
Weather
The forecast for today is calling for a high of 14 degrees and winds from the southeast 20 kilometres per hour.
Wildfire Update - May 11, 2020
Firefighters from the Wabasca Fire Department and Alberta Wildfire responded to one new wildfire on Friday afternoon.
Since March 1 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 15 wildfires which have burned a total of 3.55 hectares.
The McMillan Wildfire which occurred during the 2019 wildfire season, remains under control and will be infrared scanned this spring.
Since March 1 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 139 wildfires burning a total of 67.23 hectares.
For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.
Firefighters burning grass
Over the next several weeks, firefighters will be burning areas of dry grass in and around many communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area. These burns are conducted by trained firefighters and under specific conditions to ensure they are controlled and to minimize smoke. Spring grass burning lessens the risk of human–caused fires and helps protect homes and communities from future wildfires.
If you have any questions please call Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.
Implementing a Fire Ban and OHV Restriction are part of a number of actions the department has introduced to help mitigate wildfire risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking action in advance to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires will allow Alberta Wildfire to make the best possible use of resources when the availability of firefighters could be reduced because of the pandemic.
Firefighters appreciate your cooperation with these measures and your efforts to prevent human-caused wildfires.
Off-Highway vehicle restriction in effect
An OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) of Alberta in the High Level Forest Area, Peace River Forest Area, the northwestern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area and the rural areas surrounding Fort McMurray.
What is an OHV
An “off-highway vehicle” is a motorized vehicle designed to go beyond defined roadways, including but not limited to:quads, side by sides, dirt bikes, 4x4 jeeps, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles and snowmobiles.
Prohibited
The recreational use of OHVs on public lands, including designated OHV trails.
Exceptions to the OHV restriction
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Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.
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Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.
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Off-highway vehicle use is permitted on private lands.
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An Off-highway vehicle restriction exemption is also in place for those licenced for the spring black bear hunt.
Fire Ban in effect
There is a fire ban in effect for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, as well as in Alberta provincial parks and protected areas, until further notice.
Fire permits are suspended or cancelled. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, but will need to be approved by a forest officer.
Prohibited
• wood campfires on public lands
• wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
• backyard firepits
• barbeques with charcoal briquettes
Allowed
• propane / natural gas powered appliances
• open flame CSA approved oil devices
• wood fires in an enclosed facility or device, which have a chimney with a spark arrestor
** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An enclosed facility or device is one that is fully contained with a chimney that has a spark arrestor. Users are still responsible for care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans. Approved activities or devices will not prevent potential prosecution or litigation if the user or device starts a wildfire.
For more information regarding the Fire Ban and OHV Restriction, please contact:
Phone: 1-866-394-3473
Visit AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected areas.
Unless conditions change you can expect your next wildfire update on May 12th.
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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