Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update- July 19, 2024

Wildfire danger

Weather

For today, the high will be 35 degrees and winds will be from the east/southeast 15 to 20 kilometres per hour. Crossover conditions are expected. 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. A heat warning is in effect for Alberta. High temperatures are expected for the next several days. 

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.

There were five new wildfires yesterday. Currently in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there are eight wildfires classified as burning out of control, three being held and seven under control. On all out of control wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, firefighting will be challenging as fire behaviour will be increased due to hot and dry conditions. 

SWF120 was detected on afternoon of July 14 and is located approximately 23 kilometres northwest of Chipewyan Lakes. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 9,450 hectares in size. Yesterday, the wildfire did experience growth on the north and east side. It was burning across the Liege River and is currently burning through an extinguished wildfire from 2023. 

Map of SWF120

Rabbit Lake Complex which includes MWF060 and MWF078 are located 36 and 26 kilometres northeast and east of Chipewyan Lakes.  Both wildfires are classified as burning out of control. MWF060 is 13,000 hectares in size and MWF078 is 1,600 hectares. Smoke is hampering visibility and aircraft is unable to assess at this time.

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 approximately 31 kilometres southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation Wabasca 166D and approximately 48 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake. SWF124 is classified as burning out of control and is estimated to be 5,019 hectares in size.  Yesterday, the wildfire did experienced growth on all sides. There are 34 firefighters, two helicopters and four heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire. At this time, communities and highways are not at risk. There are road closures in the area of SWF120. For your safety do not enter into active wildfire areas.

Map of SWF124

SWF131 was detected July 18 and is located approximately 72.5 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire 0.44 hectares in size and is classified as under control. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft.

SWF130 was detected July 18 and is located approximately 90.7 kilometres nothwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 650 hectares. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft.

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 359 hectares in size.This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft.

SWF128 was detected on July 18 and being held at 0.1 hectares.

SWF125 detected on July 17 is located approximately seven kilometres north of Atikameg. It is classified as being held and is 1.6 hectares in size. There are 17 firefighters with a helicopter working on the wildfire.

SWF126 is located approximately 17 kilometre northeast of Swan Hills. The wildfire is 0.23 hectares and is being held. There are four firefighters and a helicopter working on it.

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. 

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. Yesterday, this wildfire experienced some activity in the southern part of the wildfire. It is estimated to be 90 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control. There are 17 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. 

SWF095 is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Peerless Lake. It is estimated to be 850 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 1, 315 hectares in size and are classified as burning out of control. These wildfires are being monitored by aircraft.

SWF076 was detected on July 9th and is located approximately 82 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is now under control and is 44 hectares in size. 

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, 131 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 18,613.4 hectares.  

Since January 1, 2024, 887 wildfires have been reported in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, resulting in a total burned area of 424,973.47 hectares.

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