Slave Lake Area Update

Wildfire danger

The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area is high to very high. A little relief to the wildfire danger is due to the cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity.

Firefighters continue to urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating outdoors, as under the hot and dry conditions, a fire will ignite easily and spread rapidly.

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

Weather

For Wednesday, the high will be 22-23 degrees and the winds will be from northeast 10- 15 kilometres per hour. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected. For Thursday and Friday widespread rain is expected for most of the boreal forest.

Photo: Smoke forecast for July 24, 2024 2:00 pm

Smoky conditions

Due to the wildfire activity smoky conditions will persist in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link.

Currently, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there are nine wildfires classified as burning out of control, two being held and four under control. 

SWF120 was detected on the afternoon of July 14 and is located approximately 20 kilometres northwest of Chipewyan Lakes. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 12,625 hectares in size. Today, the winds were light from the north/northeast and in the afternoon the winds switched and came from the southeast. The wildfire did experience some growth on the south end towards the west and the east. The growth was not significant. We will continue to monitor this wildfire with aircraft and airtankers will be requested when required.

Rabbit Lake Complex which includes MWF060, MWF078 are located approximately 34 and 24  kilometres northeast and east of Chipewyan Lakes. Both wildfires are classified as burning out of control. MWF060 is 20,219 hectares in size and MWF078 is 2,592 hectares. Due to poor visibility firefighters were unable to assess these wildfires today. Based on satellite imagery, the wildfires did not experience significant growth or spread today. 

Map SWF120 and Rabbit Lake Complex

Due to multiple wildfires burning northwest, northeast and east of Chipewyan Lakes the MD of Opportunity has issued an Alberta Emergency Alert for the community of Chipewyan Lakes.

SWF124 is located in the Marten Hills and is approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation Wabasca 166D and approximately 47 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake. SWF124 is classified as burning out of control and is 7,196 hectares in size.

Today, with strong gusty winds from the west there was some growth in the southeast  corner of the wildfire. Airtankers, helicopters with buckets and heavy equipment worked on that area.

Heavy equipment will continue building fire guard and firefighters continue to work on the south end of the wildfire, securing the fire guard by extinguishing hotspots 30 metres into the wildfire. 

There are 50 firefighters, three helicopters and six heavy equipment groups working on the wildfire. Airtankers will be requested when required.

At this time, SWF124 does not pose a risk to communities or highway 754. 

For your safety do not enter into active wildfire areas.

Map SWF124

There was one new wildfire today. SWF134 was detected this morning and is located south of the Winagami Lake Provincial Park Boundary. It is 0.1 hectare in size. Tomorrow, there will be eight firefighters working to extinguish it.

SWF130 was detected July 18 and is located approximately 90.7 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 1,633 hectares. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits.

SWF129 was detected July 18 and is located approximately 88 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 6,400 hectares in size. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits. 

SWF128 was detected on July 18 and being held at 0.1 hectares. Tomorrow, there will be eight firefighters working to extinguish it.

SWF126 is located approximately 17 kilometres northeast of Swan Hills. The wildfire is 0.23 hectares and is being held. 

SWF103 was detected on July 11 and is located approximately 36 kilometres southwest of Trout Lake. The wildfire is classified as under control and is 10.2 hectares in size.  there will be nine firefighters patrolling to confirm this wildfire is extinguished.

SWF101 was detected on July 11 and is located approximately 47 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. It is estimated to be 90 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control. Tomorrow, there will be 25 firefighters with a helicopter working on this wildfire.

SWF096 and SWF098 are located approximately 33 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek on the west side of Highway 88. These wildfires are both under control and are 73.2 and 80.4 hectares in size. Tomorrow, there will be 17 firefighters with a helicopter working on these wildfires.

SWF095 is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Peerless Lake. It is estimated to be 2,083 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits.

SWF092 and SW093 are located approximately 85 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The wildfires are three and 2,421 hectares in size and are classified as burning out of control. These wildfires will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits.

SWF076 was detected on July 9th and is located approximately 82 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is under control and is 44 hectares in size. Eight firefighters will be patrolling to confirm the wildfire is extinguished.

Since January 1, 2024, 134 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 33,354.7 hectares.  

Since January 1, 2024, 957 wildfires have been reported in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, resulting in a total burned area of 539,242.96 hectares.

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

The Forest Protection Area is divided into 10 forest areas. Find the latest updates for each area here or subscribe to receive them in your inbox.

• Calgary Forest Area
• Edson Forest Area
• Fort McMurray Forest Area
• Grande Prairie Forest Area
• High Level Forest Area

• Lac La Biche Forest Area
• Peace River Forest Area
• Rocky Mountain House Forest Area
• Slave Lake Forest Area
• Whitecourt Forest Area

Forest areas of Alberta map

During times of low to moderate wildfire danger, updates will be issued weekly. However, when the danger escalates to high or extreme levels, updates will be provided daily. Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update on July 23, 2024. If you have any questions contact Leah Lovequist, the Wildfire Information Officer for the Slave Lake Forest Area, at 780-849-0945.

 

Prevent wildfires

67% of wildfires in Alberta are caused by people. Whether you are recreating or working outdoors, 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. Always carry firefighting equipment such as a shovel, extinguisher and bucket when you ride.

FireSmart Alberta