Slave Lake Area Update

 

Wildfire Danger

 

The wildfire danger remains high for areas that have yet to receive rain in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Scattered showers are moving through the area however at this time, the northern and eastern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area has not received rain.

 

Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when recreating or working in the outdoors in areas that have not received rain as conditions remain dry. 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 Wednesday, temperatures are expected to be 14-16 degrees and relative humidity will be 90-100 percent. The winds will be from the northwest at 25 kilometres per hour gusting up to 50. There is a  chance of scattered showers with lightning overnight and Wednesday. 

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.

 

At this time, the Fire Restriction for the Slave Lake Forest Area (Forest Protection Area) remains in effect.

We appreciate your patience and continued cooperation as we access the fire conditions and amount of rain received.

 

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 13th, 2023 5:00 pm

There have been no new wildfires so far today. 

Since January 1, 2023, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 99 wildfires which have burned 408,971.33 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 635 wildfires which burned 1,423,670.96 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

Some rain has fallen and more is in the forecast for the Grizzly/Saulteaux Complex. A low has developed over central Alberta today and is expected to bring significant rainfall. There is potential for 30-50 millimetres of rain in total.

Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continued to focus 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. This afternoon due to the stormy weather conditions, high occurrence of lightning and gusty winds, for safety reasons firefighters, heavy equipment operators and aircraft were taken off the fireline and returned to camp.

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 continued 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 continued 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 continued to patrol and extinguish ground fires in East Prairie Metis Settlement and in the Banana Belt Area. On Saturday, 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. This morning, heavy equipment continued to build fire guards around the excursions and firefighters with helicopters worked to extinguish hotspots in the previously active areas.

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. This morning, helicopters continued to bucket on the southwest side of the wildfire where the excursion occurred.

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. This morning, helicopters with buckets, heavy equipment and firefighters continued to focus firefighting efforts on the north and west side of the wildfire.

With a reduction in fire activity and with firefighting efforts on SWF095, the Evacuation Order issued by the MD of Greenview continues to be a one hour Evacuation Advisory.

Map - SWF095

Map - Grizzly Complex 

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 worked to extinguish the identified ground fires. 

Map – Saulteaux Complex

There are a total of 151 firefighters, 71 heavy equipment operators, 32 support staff, 22 aircraft and 75 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 this wildfire 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 tomorrow.

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.