Slave Lake Area Update

 

 

Wildfire Danger

 

The wildfire danger remains EXTREME for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake that did not receive rain.

 

Although we are receiving some rain in the Slave Lake Forest Area, the amount at this time is not significant enough to bring long term relief to the drought conditions we are facing.

 

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 remains in effect. Visit www.albertafirebans.ca. for a map of the affected areas and details.

 

Thank you 

 

Firefighters want to thank everyone for following the fire ban and ohv restriction this long weekend. The aim of the fire ban and ohv restriction is to reduce human caused wildfires so that firefighters can focus on the wildfires we have and any new starts that may occur.

 

Weather

For Monday, temperatures are expected to be 14-20 degrees and relative humidity will be 50-90 percent. The winds will be from the northeast gusting up to 45 kilometers per hour. There is a moderate chance of lightning today. 

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.

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.

In the Slave Lake Forest Area there are seven wildfires classified as burning out of control. The heavy smoke has reduced fire intensity and the wildfires are not experiencing significant growth. Several of the wildfires have and are receiving rain as well.

SWF081 located at Chipewyan Lakes is classified as burning out of control. The wildfire is currently estimated to be 19,499 hecatres in size. Heavy equipment continues to build fire guard south of the community and the local fire department is working in the community. Wildland firefighters will be setting up a spike camp near the community. There are currently four firefighters and one heavy equipment working on this wildfire. An evacuation order remains in effect for Chipewyan Lakes and surrounding area. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx

SW060 has combined with SW059 and is 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. The southwest end of the wildfire closest to the Whitefish Lake First Nation Community border continued to hold and a sprinkler line has been established north of the community. Most of the wildfire activity was seen on the northwest side of the SWF060 yesterday. Today, firefighters will be working to prevent spread to the north and northwest by extinguishing hotspots and flare-ups as they occur. Bucketing operations will continue in affected areas when smoke allows for better visibility. Firefighters are working to prevent smoke and fire from spreading towards highway 88.

SWF083 is located on the east side of Muskwa Lake. Airtankers have established retardant lines around the entire wildfire. The wildfire is classified as being held at 33.7 hectares and is not expected to grow beyond containment lines.

For information on the Nipisi and Saulteaux Complex please call the Wildfire Information Officer - Colby Lachance at 780-404-9186.

Subdued fire activity was observed yesterday morning, as a result of the dense smoke. This smoke continued to suppress fire activity in the morning, as well as limiting ability to utilize aircraft. However, firefighting crews and heavy equipment operators continue to make progress on these wildfires. More activity was observed on the wildfires later in the afternoon as the smoke began to dissipate. Cooler temperatures and much needed rainy conditions are anticipated for today with periods of heavy rain in the afternoon. There are 13 helicopters (including 2 heavy machines) and 77 firefighters working on this group of wildfires.

SWF-057 is 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 16,728 hectares. Good progress was made by firefighting crews yesterday along the Highway 33 corridor. They worked to extinguish hot spots and control any excursions that were observed. Heavy smoke impacted traffic visibility along the highway, but it helped to reduce fire behaviour in the morning yesterday with an increase noted in the afternoon. The wildfire remains to the east of the Swan River. Firefighters will continue to assess excursions, and extinguish hotspots, working with heavy equipment and helicopter bucket support (should visibility allow). There are 21 firefighters and one heavy equipment group working on this wildfire.

SWF-063 is located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie, and sixteen kilometers northwest of Swan Hills, is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 120,670 hectares. In the northwestern portion of the wildfire, firefighters continued to extinguish hotspots and flare ups with helicopter bucket support in the Banana Belt and East Prairie Metis Settlement areas, and heavy equipment teams continued to create guards around fire excursions. Further southeast, heavy equipment and firefighters continued to build fire guards and reinforce the ignition area yesterday, with some helicopter bucketing support as visibility permitted, this work is planned to continue today. Fire activity increased on this southeast corner of the fire in the afternoon yesterday, and firefighters were removed from the area due to safety concerns. 56 firefighters and 4 heavy equipment groups are 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 is located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills, is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 40,060 hectares.There was insufficient visibility to do an aerial assessment of this fire yesterday, but no significant growth was expected. This fire has connected to SWF-063 to the north.1 heavy equipment group is working on this wildfire.

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 296,179.72 hectares.

Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 513 wildfires which burned 850,443.6 hectares. 

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

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.