Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update-May 18, 2023 - 5pm

Posted on Thu, May 18, 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 fire 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).
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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 Thursday, temperatures are expected to be 24 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 will be from the southeast 20 gusting up to 40 kilometres per hour for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake and southwest 15-20 kilometres per hour for areas north of the lake. 

On Alert

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.
 

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.

Be Prepared
 
Learn about wildfires and what you can do to be prepared. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-preparedness.aspx
 
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

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.

In the Slave Lake Forest Area there are 11 wildfires are classified as burning out of control.
 
SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087 located five kilometres south of Old Smith Highway, five kilometres northwest of Smith and 30 kilometres east of the Town of Slave Lake are classified as burning out of control. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets continue to fighting these wildfires. Due to the extremely dry conditions and gusty winds the wildfire is experiencing growth to the north.
 
The MD of Lesser Slave River has issued an evacuation for all residents along Old Smith Highway from Township Road 715 (Smith Bridge) to Range Road 45 (Tollenaars Bridge). The Mitsue Industrial Park remains on a four-hour evacuation advisory. Click here to view the evacuation alert.
 
Highway 2 remains open however could be closed at anytime. For the latest road conditions visit https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts
 
SWF083 is located on the east side of Muskwa Lake. Airtankers laid retardant around the entire wildfire.The wildfire is classified as burning out of control however has not spread past ten hectares.
 
SWF081 located around Chipewyan Lakes is classified as burning out of control. The wildfire did experience some growth yesterday however the spread has slowed down in the evening. The wildfire is currently moving away from the community in a southwest direction.The local fire department and wildland firefighters continue to work on setting up sprinklers on homes in the community and along the east side of the lake.The wildfire is currently estimated to be 15,750 hecatres in size. 

Grizzly Complex – SWF057, SWF063, SWF064

In total there are 88 firefighters,14 helicopters and six heavy equipment groups working on the Grizzly complex wildfires. 

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 8,711 hectares. Firefighters with nodwells and helicopters continue to work along highway 33 to extinguish hotspots. Heavy equipment has built fire guard around the small excursion from yesterday and firefighters conducted hand ignition on the southwest portion of the wildfire to reduce fire fuels. Today firefighters will continue to establish hose line on the western flank of the fire, controlling perimeter and working on any flare ups with bucket support. Firefighters will also be assessing ignition area and addressing remaining pockets of fuel in those areas, as well as assessing any values south of the area that may require protection. There are 29 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.

At this time, the visibility on the highway 33 is being affected. For the latest road conditions visit https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts

SWF-063 located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie and approximately 16 kilometres northwest of Swan Hills is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 92,742 hectares. Firefighters continue to work in the northern end of the wildfire extinguishing hotspots and flareups. Heavy equipment continues to build fire guard around the fire excursion in the East Prairie Metis Settlement and helicopters and firefighters continue to work on any flare ups and hotspots in the Banana Belt area and East Prairie Metis Settlement. On the southern end of the wildfire, heavy equipment continues to build fire guard around the excursion that occurred south of Moosehorn River and will begin to construct a new guard at the southeast end of this wildfire.There are 50 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.

SWF-064 located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 28,427 hectares. No significant growth was observed on the wildfire today however interior areas were smoking.The fire guard on the northeast and northwest side of the wildfire is holding. There are two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.

Nipisi Complex-SWF059,SWF060

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 35,000 hectares.  SWF059 and SWF060 have joined at the north end. The southwest end of the wildfire closest to the Whitefish Lake First Nation Community border continued to hold and a sprinkler lines has been set up along the community FireSmart fire guard located north of the community. Firefighters with helicopters are working on the north end by highway 88. There are 66 firefighters, four heavy equipment groups and 14 helicopters working on these wildfires.

SWF068 located approximately six kilometres northwest of Peavine Metis Settlement. Firefighters, helicopters and airtankers made good progress on securing the wildfire perimeter closest to Peavine Metis Settlement. Firefighting operations are being conducted by the Peace River Forest Area. For more information on this wildfire visit the Peace River Wildfire Update.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 86 wildfires which have burned 275,518.52 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 488 wildfires which burned 753,638.91 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 18, 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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