Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update-May 20, 2023 -11:00 am

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger is EXTREME in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Firefighters urge everyone to continue to use caution as a fire will ignite easily and spread quickly under the dry and windy conditions we have been experiencing.

Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

A Fire Ban and OHV Restriction is in effect. Visit www.albertafirebans.ca. for a map of the affected areas and details.

may 20th

Weather

For Saturday, temperatures are expected to be 26 degrees and relative humidity will be 25 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 10-15 kilometers per hour. There is a moderate chance of lightning today.

DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES

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

NOTAM

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

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 classified as burning out of control. The heavy smoke yesterday and today has reduced fire intensity and the wildfires are not experiencing significant growth.

SWF081 located at Chipewyan Lakes is classified as burning out of control. The wildfire is currently estimated to be 15,750 hecatres in size. The local fire department has set up sprinklers and as soon as visibility improves airtankers will be working to secure the west flank. Firefighters and heavy equipment are working around to extinguish hotspots and build fireguard around the community. An evacuation order remains in effect for Chipewyan Lakes and surrounding area. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx

Saulteaux Complex -SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087

These wildfires are located approximately five kilometres northwest of Smith and 30 kilometres east of the Town of Slave Lake.The wildfires are classified as burning out of control and the sizes range from 10 to 3, 086 hectares. Wildland firefighters with water trucks are working together with the Fire Department on the ground putting out hotspots. Airtankers and helicopters will be deployed once visibility improves. An Incident Management Team has arrived.

The MD of Lesser Slave River has issued an evacuation order for all residents along Old Smith Highway from Township Road 715 (Smith Bridge) to Range Road 45 (Tollenaars Bridge). A four hour evacuation warning has been issued for all residents in Hondo, the hamlet of Smith, and all properties between. It also includes the Fawcett Lake Resort, Broken Paddle and all residents between Fawcett Lake and Smith bridge on township road 715.Mitsue Industrial Park area is also on a four hour evacuation notice.

Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx

Highway 2 remains open however could be closed at anytime. For the latest road conditions visit https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts

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. Although the wildfire did experience some growth to the west, it remains east of the Swan River. Firefighters and heavy equipment will be focusing on the west side of the wildfire and aircraft will be deployed once visibility improves. There are 21 firefighters and a heavy equipment group working on this wildfire.

At this time, Highway 33 is closed. 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. Heavy equipment continues to build fire guard around the fire excursion in the East Prairie Metis Settlement and firefighters are working to extinguish hotspots along the edge of fire guards. In the south end of the wildfire, heavy equipment is building a fire guard and firefighters are working on extinguishing hotspots on along the guard.There are 56 firefighters and four heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire. East Prairie Metis Settlement and Town of Swan Hills are under an evacuation order. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx

SWF-064 located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 22,220 hectares. No significant growth was observed on the wildfire over the past days. The fire guard on the northeast and northwest side of the wildfire is holding. Heavy equipment continues to work on this wildfire.

Nipisi Complex-SWF059,SWF060, SWF083

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 of the wildfire by highway 88. There are 68 firefighters, four heavy equipment groups and nine helicopters working on this complex of wildfires.

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.

The Kimiwan Complex - SWF068 and PWF038

SWF068 located approximately six kilometres northwest of Peavine Metis Settlement. Firefighting operations are being conducted by the Peace River Forest Area. Peavine Metis Settlement remains under an evacuation order. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx 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 289,355.02 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 496 wildfires which burned 842,309.8 hectares.

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

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.

Travel not recommended on side roads around active wildfires

For your safety, travel on side roads around active wildfires is not recommended. Not only are there active fires in these areas there are also firefighting operations that could be delayed by your presence. Firefighters appreciate your cooperation.

Smoky conditions

Due to the numerous wildfires in Alberta, smoky conditions with falling ash 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.

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.

Volunteer Information

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

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.

wildfire app (2)

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 Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.