Slave Lake Area Update

Wildfire danger

Weather

For today, the high will be 35 degrees and winds will be from southeast 10-15 kilometres per hour. Thunderstorms with strong winds, hail and lightning, are expected to move through the area late this morning and into the evening. Crossover conditions are expected as well. Crossover is the point at which the relative humidity is less than or equal to the temperature and this is an indicator of extreme burning. 

Smoky conditions

Due to wildfire activity in northern Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories smoky conditions may 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.

Under this fire ban:

• All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
• No new fire permits will be issued.
• Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited:

• All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits
• Barbeque charcoal briquettes
• Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

Current wildfire situation

So far today, lightning has sparked ten new wildfires. Of the ten wildfires, three are classified as burning out of control, two are being held, one is under control and four are extinguished. SWF077-SWF084 and SWF086 range in size from 0.01-0.1 hectares and SWF085 is estimated to be 0.5 hectares. Firefighters, helicopters and airtankers are fighting these wildfires. The wildfires do not pose a threat to any communities.

SWF076 was detected on July 9th and is located approximately 82 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. Airtankers and firefighters with helicopters responded and fought the wildfire. The wildfire is being held and is 44 hectares in size. There are 21 firefighters with two helicopters  working on the wildfire. 

SWF075 was detected on July 8th and is located approximately 10 kilometres east of Little Buffalo. Thanks to the hard work of aircraft and firefighters this wildfire is being held. Being held means the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries given the current weather and firefighting resources. The cause of SWF075 was lightning and it is three hectares in size. There are 25 firefighters with a helicopter working on the wildfire. 

Since January 1, 2024, 86 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 320.99 hectares.  

Since January 1, 2024, 659 wildfires have been reported in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, resulting in a total burned area of 181,427.98 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 12, 2024. If you have any questions contact Leah Lovequist, the Wildfire Information Officer for the Slave Lake Forest Area, at 780-849-0945.

 

Fire permits are required

 

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.

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.

FireSmart Alberta