Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update -May 12, 2022

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area is currently LOW however with warm weather and very little rain expected over the weekend the wildfire danger is expected to climb. The warm weather will cause the dead grass to become dry and flammable.Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when recreating or working in areas of dry grass as a fire will ignite easily.

Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

Wildfire updates will be provided weekly when the wildfire danger is low to moderate and daily when the wildfire danger reaches high to extreme. If you have any questions in the meantime contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.

Wildfire Situation

Since January 1st, 2022 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 15 wildfires which have burned 165.68 hectares.

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 190 wildfires which burned a total of 417.54 hectares.

For more information or to view the wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit Wildfire Status | AAF - Agriculture and Forestry (alberta.ca).

firefighter burning grass

Firefighters burning

Over the next several weeks, firefighters will be burning areas of dead dry grass around communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Burning is an efficient way to remove this extremely flammable fire fuel. Trained firefighters conduct these burns under specific weather conditions to ensure the fires are controlled and to minimize the impact of smoke to roadways and communities.

If you have any questions about these grass burns contact Wildfire Information Office Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.

OHV hotspots

Wildfire Prevention

Spring is the time of year when wildfires are 100 per cent preventable. Most if not all of the wildfires we see at this time of year are human-caused. Please do your part to prevent wildfires this spring.

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.

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.

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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.Fire permits help ensure that when smoke or fire is reported, wildfire officials can determine whether this is a wildfire or a permitted burn.

Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.

Fire permits can also still be requested over the phone by calling your local forest area office.

Red Earth/Slave Lake (780) 849-7377

High Prairie (780) 523-6619

Wabasca (780) 891-3860

Wildfire Dashboard

*New* Wildfire Dashboard

The new 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.

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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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