Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger remains Very High for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. Click here to view the wildfire danger map for Sunday.
There has not been any significant rainfall north of Lesser Slave Lake.
Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remain in place for areas north of Lesser Slave Lake. To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca
To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.
Wildfire Update
New Wildfire Starts
There were no new wildfire starts yesterday.
Active Wildfires
17 firefighters and three helicopters continue to fight SWF-093 which is located 11 kilometres south of Chipewyan Lakes. It is classified as under control and is 98 hectares in size.
Since the start of the wildfire season on March 1st, there have been 101 wildfires and 320,018 hectares burned in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta click here.
Photo taken June 8th of ignition operations on the northwest side of the fire to bring the fire's edge to man-made boundaries
McMillan Wildfire Complex
Firefighters are working in conjunction with heavy equipment in the southeast section of the fire to cool down hotspots along the dozer line.
Crews continue to lay hose along the east side of the fire to the northwest of McLeod Lake. Helipads are being established further north to facilitate future control line construction.
Crews are getting established on the northeast side of the fire, laying hose north along the perimeter.
On the northwest side of the fire, crews are establishing helipads to enable crews access to this part of the fire. Ignition operations are planned to bring the fire to secure boundaries.
The west side of the fire will see crews continue to lay hose in priority areas and look for ignition opportunities along roads to tie the fire into these boundaries.
Crews continue to lay hose on the southwest section of the fire between lakes on the fire perimeter and will begin working in 100 feet with hose to strengthen control lines. Patrolling continues in the Marten Lakes Road area.
The wildfires are:
4.9 and 3.3 kilometres west of Wabasca No. 166B and 166D
26.5 kilometres northeast of Marten Beach
32.8 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake
9.3 kilometres southeast of Trout Lake
SWF-049 is 258,217 hectares and is classified as out of control.
SWF-078 is 137 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-079 is 993 hectares and is classified as out of control. This fire is located 9.4 km northwest of Wabasca No. 166C
SWF-090 is 185 hectares and is classified as under control.
SWF-099 is 2 hectares and is classified as under control.
There are 424 firefighters and support staff, 40 helicopters, airtankers and 43 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this wildfire.
Click here to view a map of the McMillan Wildfire Complex.
Click here to view a map of the wildfires burning in Alberta.
An Alberta Wildfire Information booth is set up at the Calling Lake Evacuation Centre.
Wildfire Information Officer for the weekend is Becky Heemeryck, she can be reached at (403)844-0808
Alberta Emergency Alert and Road Closures
The communities of, Hamlet of Wabasca, Bigstone Cree Nation - Wabasca # 166, and Chipewyan Lake Village remain under an evacuation order, however conditions have improved. Heavy smoke is in the area and there are road closures due to the wildfires. Additional information for residents can be found at the MD of Opportunity Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/MD-of-Opportunity-No-17-Emergency-Management-1791455711074682/
Highway 754 from Highway 88 to Wabasca is closed.Highway 813 from Wabasca to Sandy Lake is closed.
For the most up to date information on road conditions visit www.511.alberta.ca
Weather
Today the temperature will be 16-17 degrees. Winds are predicted to be west at 15-20 kilometres per hour. The forecast is calling for a chance of rain for areas south of Lesser Slave Lake.
A Fire Ban and OHV Restriction remains in effect for the northern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area, areas north of Utikuma Lake, including Wabasca and areas north. To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca
• All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, back country and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.
• Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
To view a fact sheet on the OHV restriction click here.
To view a fact sheet on the fire ban click here.
The Fire Ban and OHV Restriction has been lifted for southern parts of the Slave Lake Forest Area. The Town of Slave Lake, Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County have also lifted their Fire Ban/OHV Restriction. To view a map of the Fire Ban/OHV restriction area visit www.albertafirebans.ca
Safe campfires are allowed. Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure it's extinguished.
Soak it with water, stir up the ashes and soak it again
When riding your off highway vehicle, stop frequently to remove the build up of debris from your muffler.
Fire permits are now being issued in southern parts of the Forest Protection Area in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
Call your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Office to request a fire permit.
-Slave Lake 780-849-7377
-High Prairie 780-523-6619
Leah Lovequist
Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780-849-0945
Email:leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Keep up to date on the wildfire situation by subscribing to the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update or download the free Alberta Wildfire app for Apple or Android devices.