Wildfire danger
Due to warm and sunny weather, the wildfire danger has climbed in the Slave Lake Forest Area.The wildfire danger is HIGH for areas north of Utikuma Lake and MODERATE for areas to the south.To view the wildfire danger map click here.
Weather
For today, the high will be 23 degrees and winds will be from the southwest 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 35. There is also a risk of thunderstorms.
On Alert
Over the coming days, we may see some new wildfires because of the lightning that has occurred in the area. Fire lookouts are watching for smoke and firefighters and airtankers are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.
Wildfire update - June 22, 2020- 11:00 am
There was one new wildfire detected this weekend. The Bigstone Fire Department and Alberta Wildfire responded and extinguished the grass fire.
Since March 1 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 39 wildfires which have burned a total of 260.52 hectares.
The McMillan Wildfire which occurred during the 2019 wildfire season, remains under control and will be infrared scanned.
For information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.
To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE (3473).
Fire advisory in effect
A fire advisory is in effect for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.This fire advisory will reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in Alberta, while allowing Albertans to enjoy outdoor activities as much as possible.
Allowed:
- safe wood campfires
- backyard fire pits
- charcoal briquette barbecues
- use of propane, natural gas or powered appliance
- catalytic or infrared-style heaters
- safe burning with a fire permit
- recreational off-highway vehicle use
Prohibited:
- burning (excluding campfires) without a permit
- unattended or unsafe campfires
Restrictions can be phased back in as necessary to address wildfire risk area-by-area. Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for information.
Fire permit
In the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, a fire permit is required for all types of burning, except for a cooking or warming fire. Please note that fire permits may not be issued as usual under a fire advisory.
To request your free fire permit call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office.
Slave Lake/Red Earth/Peerless/Trout 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 fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. By getting a fire permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.
When riding off-highway vehicles in Alberta’s forested areas please remember:
- OHV exhausts 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.
- 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.
Unless conditions change you can expect your next wildfire update on June 23rd.
If you have any questions please contact:
Leah Lovequist
Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile:780-849-0945
Email:Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca
RELATED INFORMATION
Websites:
- 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
Social Media:
