Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update

Start of wildfire season 2022

Wildfire Season Starts March 1st

Today marks the official start of the wildfire season in Alberta. Under the current winter conditions the wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area is LOW. Fire permits are now required for any outdoor burning with the exception of campfires.

Wildfire Situation

There was one new wildfire since January 1st, 2022 in the Slave Lake Forest Area. SWF001 occurred in early February 2022 and was caused by a vehicle fire. It was 0.01 hectares and has been extinguished.

SWF099 located northeast of Chipewyan Lakes which occurred in 2021 remains under control and will be scanned for hotspots in the spring when the snow has melted.

Since January 1st, 2022 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been five wildfires burning a total of 13.04 ha.

For more information or to view the wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.

2021 Wildfire Season Summary

Last year we had 167 wildfires and 6,203.95 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area. In the Forest Protection Area of Alberta there were 1,308 wildfires which burned 52,955.10 hectares.

Over 60% of wildfires in Alberta last year were caused by human activity. The majority of these preventable wildfires occurred in the spring months when areas of dry grass were exposed and conditions were warm and dry. Firefighters urge everyone to do their part to prevent wildfires when working or recreating in the forested areas this wildfire season.

What can we expect for the 2022 wildfire season? It is too early to predict what the wildfire season will look like. It will depend on how long the snow stays and how much rain we get in the spring. Firefighters will constantly monitor the weather and fire danger, placing firefighting resources in areas of highest risk.

Fire Permits

From March 1st to October 31st, a fire permit is required for any type of outdoor burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta with the exception of a campfire for cooking or warming.

To request your free fire permit, contact your local Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development office.

Red Earth/Slave Lake (780) 849-7377

High Prairie (780) 523-6619

Wabasca (780) 891-3860

check your winter burning shovel

Winter Burning

Do your part to prevent spring wildfires by revisiting your winter burns to ensure they are extinguished. If fires aren’t properly put out, they can spread and burn underground, under the snow and ice, all winter. Under the right conditions, these fires can re-emerge in the spring as wildfires.

When checking your winter burns, spread around any remaining debris so you can probe the area for hotspots. If you see smoke or feel heat, the fire is still burning. Douse any remaining hotspots with water and stir up the ashes. A fire is not out until there is absolutely no heat emanating from the ashes.

wildfire app (2)

Wildfire Information

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.

Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.

Subscribe to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update to receive an email when new information is posted.

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