Slave Lake Area Update

May 20th 4:30 pm The fire in the Kinuso area is an approved fire permit for essential agricultural burning. 

Wildfire Danger 

The wildfire danger is LOW in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Click here to view the wildfire danger map.

A fire ban and OHV restriction remain in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area. Implementing a fire ban and OHV restriction is 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.

Weather

Wildfire Update - May 20, 2020- 4:30 pm

There was one new wildfire today in the Fawcett Lake area. It is under control.

Since March 1 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 22 wildfires which have burned a total of 255.9 hectares. The total hectares burned has increased due to an accurate measurement of SWF013.

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 225 wildfires burning a total of 422.07 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.

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.

OHV RESTRICTION MAP

MINISTERIAL ORDER

OHV RESTRICTION FACT SHEET

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

• 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 practices.

• Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.

• Off-highway vehicle use is permitted on private lands.

• An off-highway vehicle restriction exemption is also in place for those licenced for the spring black bear hunt.

If you plan to go off-road in areas where OHV use is allowed keep in mind:

An off-highway vehicle’s exhaust can get very hot, reaching temperatures of over 200 Celsius, causing debris caught near the exhaust to become superheated. This debris can potentially start a wildfire when it falls to the ground. It is crucial for Albertans to stop and check off-highway vehicles for debris and the ground for any debris that may have fallen. Before you ride, clean any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine. Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.

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 BAN MAP

MINISTERIAL ORDER

FIRE BAN FACT SHEET

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
• outdoor wood fires 
• backyard firepits
• barbeques with charcoal briquettes

Allowed
• propane / natural gas powered appliances
• open flame CSA approved oil devices
• indoor wood fires 

** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An indoor wood fire is a fire inside a structure (such as a building, tent, or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and 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.

• Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Fire Bans
• FireSmart in Alberta
• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• Air Quality Health Index
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
• 511 Road Reports
• Emergency Preparation
  

 

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Apps:

• Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.
• Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.