Slave Lake Area Update

 

Wildfire Danger

 

The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area for Thursday will be HIGH - VERY HIGH. 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.  Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

 

Weather 

For Friday, the temperature is expected to be 23-26 degrees with relative humidity of 30-45 percent. The winds will be from the southwest 15 kilometres per hour gusting up to 40 kilometres per hour. There is a chance of showers with lightning. 

On Alert

 

With the recent and expected lightning, we may see new wildfire starts. Fire lookouts are on high alert constantly watching for smoke. Firefighters in helicopters, various pieces of heavy equipment and airtankers are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.

 

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. 

 

  

 

FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire restriction remains in effect for the northwest portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area. 

Under the fire restriction, safe wood campfires are allowed in campgrounds and in backyards.

In areas where the fire restriction has been lifted, new fire permits can be requested and if you have a valid fire permit you may commence with burning as per the conditions on the fire permit.

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

 

 

 

 

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 

There were two new wildfires today that are both Burning Out of Control.

SWF112 located at 05-12-096-10-5 and is roughly 80km north of Red Earth and is 5 ha’s in size.  SWF113 located at 07-13-090-24-4 is 10 hectares in size and is roughly 20km Southwest of Chip Lake.  No communities are in danger.  Airtankers have laid retardant around both wildfires and firefighters with a helicopters are working on them.  SWF111 status has changed to Being Held and is still 3 ha’s in size.  Crews continue to work on this fire.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 113 wildfires which have burned 407,222.25 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 725 wildfires which burned 1,448,346.29 hectares. 

SWF103 occurred on June 21 and is located 30 kilometres northeast of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is being held and has burned 15.3 hectares. There are 21 firefighters and one helicopter working on the wildfire.

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

Thanks to the hard work of all firefighting personnel, the wildfires in the Saulteaux Complex and SWF057 (Grizzly Complex) are under control. SWF063, SWF064 and SWF095 of the Grizzly Complex are all being held. Being held means with the current weather conditions and resources, the wildfires are not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries. 

Infrared aerial scanning has and will continue to be conducted on SWF063, SWF064 and SWF095. The scans help to identify if there are any ground fires. Firefighters will receive the locations of the ground fires and will focus their efforts on extinguishing them. Heavy equipment groups will start working on reclaiming the fire guards.

There are a total of 156 firefighters, 61 heavy equipment operators, 19 support staff, 19 aircraft and 61 pieces of heavy equipment working on the Grizzly/Saulteaux Complex wildfires.

If you have any questions about the wildfires in the Grizzly/Saulteaux Complex please email wf.scx0012023-IOF.i@gov.ab.ca or contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist by calling 780-849-0945.

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. This wildfire is under control and has burned 16,728 hectares. 

SWF-063 is located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie and sixteen kilometers northwest of Swan Hills. The wildfire is now being held and has burned 123,670 hectares. Firefighters continue to patrol for ground fires.

SWF-064 is located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills. This wildfire is now being held and has burned 40,060 hectares. Firefighters continue to patrol for ground fires on the southwest side of the wildfire.

SWF095 is located southeast of the hamlet of Sweathouse. This wildfire is now being held and has burned 8,500 hectares. Heavy equipment has finished building fire guard around the wildfire and firefighters continue to patrol for ground fires.

The MD of Greenview has lifted the four hour evacuation advisory for residents in the Sweathouse area.

Map - Grizzly Complex 

Saulteaux Complex – (SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087) - UNDER CONTROL

SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087 are located approximately five kilometres northwest of Smith and 30 kilometres east of the Town of Slave Lake. All three wildfires are under control. Map - Saulteaux Complex

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 by calling 780-618-2081 or by email michelle.huley@gov.ab.ca

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. Firefighters are patrolling for ground fires. There are 33 firefighters and two helicopters working on this wildfire.

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.

Celebrating with fireworks this July long weekend?

The use of fireworks in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta requires written permission from a Forest Officer. If you do not have written permission, you could face a fine of $600 and if you are found responsible for starting a wildfire, you could also be charged with the cost of firefighting.

A site inspection will also be required, so please plan ahead and call at least three days before the long weekend.

To request permission to ignite fireworks in the Forest Protection Area  please call your local Forestry Office.

• Slave Lake (780) 849-7377
• High Prairie (780) 523-6619
• Wabasca (780) 891-3860

Fire Permits 

From March 1 to October 31, fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Fire permits help us track what is burning on the landscape. If you are burning without a permit or not following permit conditions, your fire could be considered a wildfire and you could be fined and may be responsible for the costs of suppressing the fire. By getting a fire permit, you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.

Fire permits are free and are now available online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca for information on how to make a request online.

Fire permits are also still available, by request, from your local Forestry Office.

• Wabasca 780-891-3860
• Slave Lake 780-849-7377
• High Prairie 780-523-6619  

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.