For today, temperatures are expected to be 21 degrees and relative humidity will be 25 to 50 percent. The winds will be from the east/southeast 10-15 kilometres per hour. There is a moderate to high chance of lightning. Scattered showers have been moving through the area this morning.
FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT
A fire restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area of Slave Lake.
Under this fire restriction:
-
Existing fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued
- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed
- Essential burning may be allowed with written permission from a forest officer
Allowed:
-
Safe wood campfires (including charcoal briquettes) on private lands and in provincial campgrounds
- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques
- Propane/natural gas powered appliances
- Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
- Cooking, warming and lighting devices - all devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer's standards
Prohibited:
-
All outdoor wood fires are banned on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets are also prohibited
The fire 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 restrictions please call 1-866-394-3473.
The OHV ban has been removed at this time for the Slave Lake Forest Area. Please use caution when recreating. Always carry firefighting equipment with you (fire extinguisher), a water vessel and shovel. Avoid idling on dry grass.
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
SWF081 located at Chipewyan Lake is classified as burning out of control and is an estimated 20,082 hectares. Wildfire operations are being conducted by the Fort McMurray Forest Area. For information visit the Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update. If you have any questions regarding SWF081 please contact Wildfire Information Officer Emily Smith at 780-799-9253.
For evacuation information for Chipewyan Lakes and surrounding area. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx.
Saulteaux and Grizzly Complexes
On May 27, an infrared aerial scan was conducted on the Grizzly and Saulteaux wildfires. The infrared scan identifies ground fires and their locations. The locations of the ground fires have been passed on to firefighters and their efforts are focused on extinguishing these areas.
Over the last two days, all wildfires in the Grizzly and Saulteaux Complexes have not experienced growth due to the easing weather conditions. For today, the Grizzly and Saulteaux Complexes are expected to see a weak low develop causing gusty southerly winds with a risk of thunderstorms late in the afternoon. With the return of warm and windy weather later this week, we may see an increase in fire behavior.
There are a total of 142 firefighters, 49 support staff, 21 helicopters and 79 pieces of heavy equipment working on the Saulteaux and Grizzly Complexes.
If you have any question regarding the Saulteaux or Grizzly Complexes please contact Wildfire Information Officer Bianca Callinam by email wf.scx0012023-iof.i@gov.ab.ca
Saulteaux Complex – SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087
SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087 are located approximately five kilometres northwest of Smith and 30 kilometres east of the Town of Slave Lake. All three wildfires are being held. Being held means with the current weather conditions and resources, these wildfires are not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.
The sizes of these wildfires are as follows;
SWF086 is 4,742 hectares
SWF085 is 39 hectares
SWF087 is. 1,036 hectares
Structure protection equipment has been removed from the Old Smith Highway, but structure protection is ready to be deployed if needed. Wildland firefighters with water trucks continue to work patrolling for and extinguishing ground fires in the area. Firefighters are working along the wildfire perimeter extinguishing ground fires with pump and hose around residents’ homes along the Old Smith Highway when needed. Heavy equipment has established guard all around the north end of the wildfire boundary.
Smoke may be visible from areas within the interior of the wildfire and along the perimeters. Firefighters and helicopters will be working on these areas. Heavy equipment has completed a fire guard from the southwest to the southeast and they continue to move to the north.
Saulteaux Complex - public map
Grizzly Complex - SWF057, SWF063, SWF064
SWF-057 is located approximately 26 kilometres south of Kinuso and over 30 kilometers southwest of the Town of Slave Lake. The wildfire is classified as out of control and has burned an estimated 16,728 hectares.
Firefighters continue to extinguish ground fires along Highway 33 and the south perimeter of the wildfire. Smoke will continue to be visible from areas within the wildfire perimeter. Heavy equipment remains onsite and will be deployed if needed.
SWF-063 is located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie and sixteen kilometers northwest of Swan Hills. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 123,670 hectares.
Firefighters are working to extinguish ground fires in East Prairie Metis Settlement and in the Banana Belt area. Heavy equipment will continue to build fire guard on the east side of the wildfire heading north towards High Prairie.
Smoke will continue to be visible within East Prairie Metis Settlement and on the east side of the wildfire. Helicopters with buckets will action any flare-ups as they occur, and firefighters are working to extinguish areas of ground fire.
SWF-064 is located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills. The wildfire is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 40,060 hectares. This wildfire has connected to SWF-063 to the north. Helicopters with buckets will action any flare-ups along the wildfire perimeter as they occur.
Grizzly Complex - public map
Re-entry Information for Residents
We ask that residents stay out of areas that have been burned by the wildfires in the area. Wildfires will make the root systems of trees weak, and any amount of wind will affect the trees in the area. Falling trees will be an ongoing hazard and for residents’ safety you should avoid the burned-out areas.
Firefighters will be actively working on and around properties extinguishing hotspots, please give them the space they need to work.
There will be structure protection equipment on homes and infrastructure in the area. We ask that you do not move the equipment as it is in place to protect buildings on your property. Structure protection will remain in place until the wildfire threat has decreased.
All terrain vehicles are used to transport firefighters and equipment onto the fireline at the Nipisi Complex.
Nipisi Complex - SWF059, SWF060, SWF083
SW060 has combined with SW059 and is located 2.3 kilometres east of the border of the Whitefish Lake First Nation. This wildfire complex is being held and has burned approximately 43,981 hectares.
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. Being held means under the current weather conditions, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.
Helicopters with buckets are actioning flare ups on the north and northeast end of the wildfire. Firefighters are patrolling and extinguishing smouldering ground fires along fire guards on the northwest side of the wildfire.
SWF068 is located approximately six kilometres northwest of 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.
If you have any questions regarding SWF068 please contact Wildfire Information Officer Michelle Huley 780-618-2081.
Since January 1, 2023, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 88 wildfires which have burned 373,507.07 hectares.
Since January 1, 2023, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 547 wildfires which burned 1,100,994.01 hectares.
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.
Learn about wildfires and what you can do to be prepared. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-preparedness.aspx
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.
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.
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.
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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. 
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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