Slave Lake Area Update

Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update- July 15, 2024

Posted on Mon, Jul 15, 2024

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Wildfire danger

The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area is HIGH. Although there has been some rain, the amount was light and isolated. With the warm temperatures expected, it won't take long to for the forest vegetation to become dry and flammable.

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

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On Alert

With recent and expected lightning activity, new wildfires may occur. 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 immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

Weather

For today, the high will be 27-29 degrees and winds will be from the southwest 15 kilometres per hour. The forecast is calling for extremely hot temperatures this week.

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.

Fire Ban banner

A fire ban is in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Slave Lake Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions. 

Under this fire ban:

All fire permits are suspended or cancelled and 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:

  • Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances

  • Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor

  • Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve. Firefighters appreciate your cooperation.

For more information view the Fire ban factsheet  

The town of High Prairie, town of Slave Lake, and the Big Lakes County Fire Permit Area have also issued a fire ban. For specific fire ban information visit www.albertafirebans.ca

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Current wildfire situation

Firefighters, supported by helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment continue to fight the ongoing wildfires and respond to new wildfires. 

Currently in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there are eight wildfires classified as burning out of control, one being held and four under control. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment, six wildfires were extinguished yesterday which included the wildfires northeast of Red Earth Creek. Airtankers and firefighters responded to one new wildfire yesterday and one new wildfire this morning.

SWF121 was detected this morning and is located approximately 87 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. It is 0.3 hectares and is classified as burning out of control. There are four firefighters with a helicopter working on the wildfire.

SWF120 was detected on afternoon of July 14 and is located approximately 35 kilometres northwest of Chipewyan Lakes. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 34.6 hectares in size. Firefighters in helicopters and airtankers responded and were able to slow the spread. This wildfire is being monitored by aircraft.

SWF106 was detected on July 12 and is located approximately 60 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is under control and is 4.8 hectares in size. There are 11 firefighters and one helicopter working on the wildfire. 

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. 

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. This wildfire is being monitored by aircraft.

SWF096 and SWF098 are located approximately 33 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek on the west side of Highway 88. These wildfires are classified as burning out of control and are 73.2 and 80.4 hectares in size. There are 34 firefighters and two helicopters working on this wildfire. At this time, the wildfires do not pose a risk to the highway.

SWF095 is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Peerless Lake. It is estimated to be 664 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control. This wildfire is being monitored by aircraft.

SWF092 and SW093 are located approximately 85 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The wildfires are three and four hectares in size and are classified as burning out of control. There are four firefighters with a helicopter working on this wildfire.

SWF085 was detected on July 10th and is located approximately 9.4 kilometres southwest of Faust. Thanks to the hard work of airtankers, firefighters and heavy equipment, this wildfire is under control. The wildfire is 30.4 hectares in size. There are nine firefighters with one helicopter working on this wildfire.

SWF076 was detected on July 9th and is located approximately 82 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is being held and is 44 hectares in size. There are 17 firefighters with one helicopter working on the wildfire. 

SWF075 was detected on July 8th and is located approximately 10 kilometres east of Little Buffalo. This 3.0 hectare wildfire is under control

Since January 1, 2024, 121 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 1,378.83 hectares.  

Since January 1, 2024, 791 wildfires have been reported in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, resulting in a total burned area of 274,790.54 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 July 16, 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 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

Mobile:780-849-0945

Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

RELATED INFORMATION

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