Slave Lake Area Update

 

Wildfire Danger

 

Although we received some rain last night, the amount was not significant enough to improve conditions for the long term. With the return of warm temperatures the wildfire danger is HIGH in the Slave Lake Forest Area for Monday.

 

Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when recreating or working in the outdoors, as under the high wildfire danger, a fire will ignite easily and spread quickly under windy conditions.

 

Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

 

 

 

Smoky Conditions

Smoky conditions will persist in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from.

 

Weather 

For Monday, temperatures are expected to be 24-26 degrees and relative humidity will be 30-40 percent. The winds will be from the south at 10 kilometres per hour. There is a chance of isolated showers with lightning.

On Alert

 

With the recent lightning, we may see new wildfire starts. 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.

 

 

FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area of the Slave Lake Forest Area. 

Visit www.albertafirebans.ca for a map of the affected areas and details. If you have questions about the fire restriction, please call 1-866-394-3473.

 

Click here to view the Fire Restriction poster.

 

Click here to view the Fire Restriction fact sheet.

 

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. Firefighters thank you for your cooperation. 

 

The use of off-highway vehicles is allowed. Please use caution when recreating. Always carry firefighting equipment with you (fire extinguisher), a water pail and shovel and stop frequently to clear debris that has built up on your machine's muffler.

The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely.

*according to Transport Canada

Attention Aircraft Pilots

Aircraft Pilots are reminded to check NOTAMs before flying into areas with active wildfires. Flying into a NOTAM area without prior authorization will cause disruption to aerial firefighting. 

Wildfire Situation June 11th, 2023 5:00 pm

Firefighters on aerial patrol found one new wildfire this afternoon. SWF089 is located just over 40 kilometres north of Peerless Lake. Firefighters are working to extinguish the lightning caused wildfire which is 0.01 hectares in size.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 98 wildfires which have burned 393,073.53 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 629 wildfires which burned 1,359,963.87 hectares. 

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

NOTE: The wildfire perimeter is an estimate based on measurements such as GPS, aerial scanning and satellite imagery. This estimated perimeter can change as more accurate measurements become available. Areas within the fire perimeter may not have been affected by wildfire.

Grizzly/Saulteaux Complex

The much-needed rain and light winds helped firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft make good progress fighting the wildfires of the Grizzly Complex today.

Isolated rain showers passed over the Grizzly Complex last night and the amount of rain that fell was estimated to be two and six millimeters. With this amount of moisture and under calm winds firefighters reported reduced fire activity. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment focused their efforts on the north and west perimeter of SWF095 and the previously active areas on SWF063 and SWF064 as well as extinguishing ground fires on SWF057.

With a reduction in fire activity on SWF095, the Evacuation Order issued by the MD of Greenview was downgraded to a one hour Evacuation Advisory.

The wildfires of the Saulteaux Complex did not experience any growth during the recent warm and windy weather. Firefighters armed with the infrared scan results continue patrolling and extinguishing ground fires on the wildfires of the Saulteaux Complex.

Grizzly Complex (SWF057, SWF063, SWF064 and SWF095)

SWF-057 is located approximately 26 kilometers south of Kinuso and over 30 kilometers southwest of the Town of Slave Lake. The wildfire is classified as being held and has burned an estimated 16,728 hectares. The wildfire has not experienced any growth and firefighters continue to patrol and extinguish ground fires.

SWF-063 is located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie and sixteen kilometers northwest of Swan Hills. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 123,670 hectares. Firefighters continue to patrol and extinguish ground fires in East Prairie Metis Settlement and in the Banana Belt Area. Yesterday, over 20 kilometres south of the communities of Driftpile First Nation and Faust, there were two excursions from the wildfire perimeter. There was also burning in the interior of the wildfire on the south end. Today, heavy equipment was building fire guards around the excursions and firefighters with helicopters worked to extinguish hotspots in the active areas from yesterday.

SWF-064 is located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills. This wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is approximately 40,060 hectares. Today, helicopters were bucketing on the southwest side of the wildfire where the excursion occurred yesterday.

Map - Grizzly Complex 

Improved visibility over SWF095 - taken by Air Attack Officer in the Birddog Plane on June 11, 2023 at 1:15 pm

SWF095 is located southeast of the hamlet of Sweathouse. This wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is approximately 8,500 hectares in size. With reduced fire activity and improved visibility today, airtankers, heavy equipment and firefighters were deployed and focused firefighting efforts on the north and west side of the wildfire.

Map - SWF095

Saulteaux Complex – SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087 

SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087 are located approximately five kilometres northwest of Smith and 30 kilometres east of the Town of Slave Lake. SWF085 is under control and SWF086 and SWF087 are being held. Being held means with the current weather conditions and resources, these wildfires are not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. The sizes of these wildfires are as follows; SWF086 is 4,742 hectares, SWF085 is 39.4 hectares and SWF087 is 1,036 hectares. These wildfires did not experience any growth during the recent hot and windy weather. Firefighters have been provided with the infrared scan results and are working to extinguish the identified ground fires. 

Map – Saulteaux Complex

There are a total of 159 firefighters, 69 heavy equipment operators, 33 support staff, 16 aircraft and 68 pieces of heavy equipment working on the Grizzly/Saulteaux Complex.

If you have any questions about the wildfires in the Grizzly/Saulteaux Complex please contact Bianca Callinan by email wf.scx0012023-IOF.i@gov.ab.ca

SWF068 is located approximately six kilometres northwest of Peavine Metis Settlement. Firefighting operations are being conducted by the Peace River Forest Area. For  information on these wildfires visit the Peace River Wildfire Update. If you have any questions regarding SWF068 please contact Wildfire Information Officer Michelle Huley 780-618-2081.

SW060 is located 2.3 kilometres east of the border of the Whitefish Lake First Nation. This wildfire is being held and has burned approximately 43,981 hectares. Being held means with the current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. There is one firefighter with three helicopters working on this wildfire. Additional firefighters will be deployed once they extinguish SWF093.

Learn about wildfires and what you can do to be prepared. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-preparedness.aspx

Visit https://511.alberta.ca for the latest information on road closures.

For your safety, travel on side roads around active wildfires is not recommended. Not only are there active fires in these areas there are also firefighting operations that could be delayed by your presence. Firefighters appreciate your cooperation.

Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Before travelling check www.511.Alberta.ca for information the latest road conditions or closures. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from.

Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province, please contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.

Do your part and prevent wildfires

When riding your off-highway vehicle stop frequently to remove any build-up of debris from your machine. Grass, muskeg, moss or other debris can begin to smoulder and drop to the ground as you're riding and spark a wildfire. Always carry firefighting equipment - a shovel, extinguisher and bucket when you ride.

When having a campfire, keep it small, safe and always attended. When you are leaving your site or headed to bed, your campfire must be extinguished. Soak it, stir up the ashes, soak it again to ensure it is out.

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 today 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.