Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update- May 25, 2022

Wildfire Danger

Rain has reduced the wildfire danger to LOW for the majority of the Slave Lake Forest Area. Areas south of Lesser Slave Lake have yet to receive rain and will remain HIGH as the map below indicates.

Unless conditions change your can expect your next wildfire update on June 1st, 2022. If you have any questions please call Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.

Weather

The forecast is calling for more thundershowers over the next few days.

Photo: Lightning map from May 24th.

On Alert

With the recent and expected lightning activity new wildfire starts may occur. Fire lookouts are watching for smoke and firefighters in helicopters and airtankers are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.

Photo: SWF026 First lightning caused wildfire of the season.

Wildfire Situation

There were two new wildfires last night in the Slave Lake Forest Area. SWF025 located in the Grouard area was a small grass fire and it has been extinguished. SWF026 located north of Utikuma Lake is being held at 0.2 hectares. It was caused by lightning and firefighters are working to extinguish it.

Since January 1st, 2022 in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 26 wildfires which have burned 167.22 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 331 wildfires which burned a total of 490.33 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).

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Prevent Wildfires This May Long Weekend

Alberta Wildfire typically sees an increase in human-caused wildfires during long weekends. When enjoying the outdoors this May long weekend please do your part to prevent wildfires.

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.

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, firefighters 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 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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