Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update-May 15, 2023

Posted on Mon, May 15, 2023

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Smoky conditions
 
Due to the numerous wildfires in Alberta, smoky conditions will persist in communities and along highways. 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 and to view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard. 
 
Wildfire Danger
 
The wildfire danger is EXTREME in the Slave Lake Forest Area. With the return of extremely warm temperatures and gusty winds, firefighters urge everyone to continue to use caution as a wildfire will ignite easily and spread quickly. There is a Fire Ban and OHV Restriction in effect. visit www.albertafirebans.ca. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).
 
Reporting wildfires

We have firefighters in aircraft working on the out of control wildfires and fire lookouts watching for smoke. While we always appreciate people calling in to report wildfires, the large volume of calls we are currently receiving is diverting our resources away from fighting wildfires. As always, please still call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported, but assume that large columns of smoke and burned over areas have already been detected and reported.

Weather
 
For Monday, temperatures are expected to be up to 28 to 30 degrees and relative humidity will be 20 percent. Crossover conditions are expected. Crossover occurs when the relative humidity is lower than the temperature and this is an indicator of extreme wildfire behavior. The winds for today will be south 15 kilometres per hour for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake and southeast 15 kilometres per hour for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake. In the late afternoon and into the evening today winds may shift becoming northwest gusting up to and exceeding 50 kilometres per hour for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake.
 

On Alert

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

may 15

 

Alberta Emergency Alert

A provincial state of emergency has been declared for Alberta. Critical alerts and advisories have been and could be issued for communities around active wildfires. Visit http://www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert for details. Albertans who require assistance can also call 310-4455 for evacuation related information.

Road Closures
 
With the dynamic wildfire situation, highways could be closed with short notice. Visit https://511.alberta.ca for the latest information on road closures.
 

DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES

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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

Wildfire Situation

On all out of control wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area firefighting will be challenging as fire behaviour will be increased due to hot, dry and windy conditions. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are focusing on all critical areas of these wildfires. 

There are now seven out of control wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

SWF081 located approximately six kilometres north of Chipewyan Lakes is classified as burning out of control. This wildfire started yesterday afternoon and was caused by holdover lightning.  Airtankers responded and were working on the wildfire however due to hot, dry and windy conditions the wildfire spread quickly. The wildfire is currently estimated to be 1,260 hecatres in size. The community of Chipewyan Lake and surrounding area has issued an evacuation order. Visit www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert for details.

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Oregon firefighters arrived yesterday to help fight the Grizzly Complex wildfires.

Grizzly Complex – SWF057, SWF063, SWF064

The hot, dry conditions resulted in increased fire behavior across all wildfires in the Grizzly Complex yesterday. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to action hotspots and flare ups, as well as building fire guards in critical areas. With the south/southeast winds yesterday the wildfires did not experience significant growth. In total there are 88 firefighters,14 helicopters and six heavy equipment groups working on the Grizzly complex wildfires. 

Due to the southern winds today, smoky conditions will persist in the are around the Town of High Prairie and along Highway 33.

SWF-057 located approximately 26 kilometres south of Kinuso and over 30 kilometers southwest of the Town of Slave Lake, is classified as out of control and has burned an estimated 8,136 hectares. There was increased fire activity observed yesterday, and firefighters were working on flare ups along the east and south flanks of this wildfire. Firefighters continue to work with a nodwell and heavy equipment along the west portion of the wildfire (near highway 33) and today, firefighters will be establishing hose line in this area. The wildfire did cross the established fire guards in some areas yesterday. Firefighters with helicopters bucketing will be focusing on these locations today and heavy equipment will continue to build fire guard on the southeast portion of the wildfire. There are 29 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.

SWF-063 located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 69,074 hectares. Firefighters have been working on flare ups in the northeast portion of the wildfire as well as working with helicopters and airtankers in the East Prairie Metis Settlement area. Firefighters will continue to focus on addressing hot spots in the Banana Belt / East Prairie Metis Settlement areas today. The wildfire crossed the fire guard and retardant line in some areas of the wildfire and today additional heavy equipment groups will be moved into these areas to re-establish the fire guard. Firefighters will continue working along the Enilda road, toward East Prairie Metis Settlement with support of the local fire department. Firefighters and helicopters are also working on hotspots on the lower eastern flank of the wildfire. There are 50 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.

SWF-064 is located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills, is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 22,398 hectares.In the late afternoon yesterday, firefighters observed an increase in fire activity in the north end of the wildfire however there was no significant growth. Firefighters will continue to monitor this wildfire from the air and heavy equipment will continue to build fire guard. There are two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.

Click here to view a map of the Grizzly Complex.

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

Nipisi Complex-SWF059,SWF060

Due to the hot and dry conditions yesterday there was increase fire behavior on the wildfires in the Nipisi Complex. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to action hotspots and flare ups, as well as building fire guards in critical areas.

SW060 located 2.3 kilometres east of the border of the Whitefish Lake First Nation is classified as burning out of control and has burned approximately 16,688 hectares. The southwest end of the wildfire experienced some flare ups and on the southeast side it spread across the fire guard. Helicopters with buckets were able to knock down the flareups and contain the excursion that crossed the fire guard. The southwest end of the wildfire closest to the Whitefish Lake First Nation Community border continued to hold and firefighters have sprinkler lines set up along the community FireSmart fire guard located north of the community. 

SWF059 located over 24 kilometres northeast of the Whitefish Lake First Nation border is classified as burning out of control and has burned approximately 1,036 hectares.The wildfire was active on the south side and it was socked in with smoke so firefighters focused their efforts on SWF060 until conditions became clear.

There are 66 firefighters, four heavy equipment groups and 14 helicopters working on these wildfires.

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

Wildfire operations for SWF068 located approximately nine kilometres northwest of Peavine Metis Settlement has been transferred over to the Peace River Forest Area. For information on this wildfire visit the  Peace River Wildfire Update.

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

Since January 1, 2023, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 82 wildfires which have burned 159,300.06 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 464 wildfires which burned 531,877.89 hectares. 

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

Volunteer Information

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

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FIRE BAN AND OHV RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area due to extreme fire danger.

Under this fire ban:

  • All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
  • No new Fire Permits will be issued

Prohibited:

  • All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
  • Backyard firepits
  • BBQ charcoal briquettes
  • The use of fireworks and exploding targets
  • The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails

Allowed:

  • Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
  • Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
  • Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
  • All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
  • Indigenous people when using an off-highway vehicle for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.
  • Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.
  • Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands.

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

To view a map of the affected area visit www.albertafirebans.ca

If you have questions about the Fire Ban or OHV Restriction please call 1-866-394-3473.

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Wildfire Information

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.

Join the conversation on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

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Unless conditions change you can expect your next wildfire update on May 16, 2023.

If you have any questions please contact:

Leah Lovequist

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile:780-849-0945

Email:leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca

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