Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update- August 14, 2024

Posted on Wed, Aug 14, 2024

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Wildfire danger

The wildfire danger remains HIGH for areas around and south of Lesser Slave Lake and north of Wabasca. For areas north of Lesser Slave Lake the wildfire danger has been reduced to moderate due to scattered showers from yesterday.

Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating outdoors. Under the warm and dry conditions, a fire can ignite easily and will spread quickly. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

There are no fire advisories, restrictions or bans in the Slave Lake Forest Area. For up-to-date information on fire regulations in other parts of Alberta, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca

Smoky conditions

With wind from the northwest and west smoke from wildfires in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon has drifted into the Province of Alberta. 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.

On Alert

New wildfires may occur with the expected lightning activity. Fire lookouts are watching for smoke and firefighters with helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond to any new wildfires that start. 

Report wildfires 2022

Weather

For today, the high will be 24 degrees with a relative humidity of 35-40% Winds will be from the west/northwest 10-15 kilometres per hour. There is a chance of scattered thunderstorms.

FirePermitOnline

Fire permits are required

From now until October 31, fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. 
 
Fire permits are free and can be requested online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca to request your fire permit online. You may also request your fire permit by calling your local Forest Area Office.
 
Wabasca 780-891-3860
Slave Lake 780-849-7377
High Prairie 780-523-6619  
 
Fire permit holders, please remember to check the weather forecast before initiating any burning activities. This precaution ensures that you'll adhere to the safe burning conditions outlined on your fire permit.

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Current wildfire situation

Yesterday afternoon, lightning sparked 12 new wildfires (SWF138-SWF149) in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Firefighters in helicopters and airtankers responded and fought these wildfires. At this time, seven are being held, one is under control and four have been extinguished. Today, when visibility allows, firefighters and helicopters will be fighting these wildfires. To view these wildfires on a map visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

SWF139, SWF140, SWF142, SWF146, SWF147 and SWF148 range in size from 0.01 to 1.2 hectares.  Firefighters with helicopters are currently working on SWF146 and SWF139. As visibility improves and wildfires are extinguished, firefighters will move on to work on the other wildfires.

SWF141 was detected on August 13 and is located approximately 74 kilometres northeast of Wabasca. The wildfire is being held at 84 hectares. Being held means the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries given the current weather and firefighting resources. As soon as visibility improves airtankers will be deployed on this wildfire.

SWF143 was detected on August 13 and is located approximately 27 kilometres northeast of Swan Hills. The wildfire is being held at 13.6 hectares. Being held means the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries given the current weather and firefighting resources. As soon as visibility improves eight firefighters with two helicopters will be deployed on this wildfire.

Firefighters continue to make good progress fighting the wildfires from July. When weather conditions permit, aerial infrared scans are conducted on the wildfires. These scans help locate areas of smouldering ground fire. The results are then provided to firefighters who will extinguish the identified hotspots. 

SWF120 was detected on the afternoon of July 14 and is located approximately 20 kilometres northwest of Chipewyan Lake. The wildfire is classified as being held and is 13,282.00 hectares in size. Being held means the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries given the current weather and firefighting resources. A fire guard has been constructed along the south end of the wildfire. Today, there are 20 firefighters with three helicopters working on this wildfire.

SWF124 was detected on July 16 and is located in the Marten Hills, approximately 29 kilometres southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation Wabasca 166D and approximately 46 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake. SWF124 is now under control and is 8,169.00 hectares in size. A fire guard has been constructed along the south and east sides of the wildfire. 

SWF130 was detected July 18 and is located approximately 90.7 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as being held and is 1,849.00 hectares. Being held means the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries given the current weather and firefighting resources.

SWF129 was detected July 18 and is located approximately 88 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as being held and is 7,427.00 hectares in size. Being held means the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries given the current weather and firefighting resources. Today, there are 25 firefighters and three helicopters working on the wildfire.

SWF101 was detected on July 11 and is located approximately 47 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as under control and is estimated to be 118.50 hectares.

SWF096 and SWF098 were detected on July 11 and 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 73.20 and 80.4 hectares in size. 

SWF095 was detected on July 11 and is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Peerless Lake. It is estimated to be 5,269.00 hectares in size and is classified as under control. 

SWF093 was detected on July 11 and is located approximately 85 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as under control and is estimated to be 2,523.00 hectares. Today, there are nine firefighters working on the wildfire.

SWF076 was detected on July 9th and is located approximately 82 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is under control and is 44.00 hectares in size. 

Since January 1, 2024, 149 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 39,328.20 hectares.  

Since January 1, 2024, 1,085 wildfires have been reported in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, resulting in a total burned area of 635,535.26 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.

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 August 15, 2024. If you have any questions contact Leah Lovequist, the Wildfire Information Officer for the Slave Lake Forest Area, at 780-849-0945.
 
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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 having a campfire, keep it small, safe and always attended. When you are leaving the site or going to bed, your campfire must be extinguished. Soak it, stir up the ashes, soak it again to ensure it is out. A campfire is out when you can no longer feel heat from the ashes.

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

An estimated 90 percent of homes damaged or destroyed by wildfire are ignited by embers. Download the FireSmart Yard Fact Sheet for practical and simple actions you can take on your property to reduce the risk of a wildfire reaching your home.
  
Wildfire information 
 
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 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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

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If you have any questions, please contact:

Wildfire Information Officer

Leah Lovequist

Wildfire Information Officer

Mobile:780-849-0945

Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

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