Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update- July 21, 2024

Wildfire danger

The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area is EXTREME. 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. 

Weather

For Monday, the high will be 31 degrees and winds will be from the east/southeast at 20 kilometres per hour gusting up to 45.  

Photo: Smoke forecast for July 21, 2024 1:00 pm

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.

With smoky conditions again today, the out of control wildfires did not experience significant growth.  

Currently, in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there are eight wildfires classified as burning out of control, two being held and seven under control. 

Photo: Southern end of SWF120 July 21, 2024. Smoky conditions helped to suppress the spread and growth on SWF120 today.

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 10,813 hectares in size. In the late afternoon, when visibility improved, firefighters were able to assess SWF120. The wildfire was experiencing some growth on the south end to the west and to the east. The growth was minimal and there was no significant spread. As soon as visibility improves airtankers will be requested.

Rabbit Lake Complex which includes MWF060 and MWF078 are located approximately 36 and 24.5 kilometres northeast and east of Chipewyan Lakes. Both wildfires are classified as burning out of control. MWF060 is estimated to be 20,219 hectares in size and MWF078 is estimated to be 2,592 hectares. Due to poor visibility firefighters were unable to assess these wildfires today. Based on satellite imagery, the wildfires did not experience significant growth or spread today. An infrared scan will be conducted on these wildfires tonight to determine an accurate size on these wildfires.

Map SWF120 and Rabbit Lake Complex

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 30 kilometres southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation Wabasca 166D and approximately 47 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake. SWF124 is classified as burning out of control and is 6,568 hectares in size.

With smoky conditions again today, there was minimal growth on SWF124. The fire behavior was reduced to smouldering ground fire in the morning. In the afternoon, the fire behavior began to pick up and there was open flame surface fire and torching of trees. Helicopters were bucketing on these hotspots. Later this afternoon there was some growth occurring in the northwest corner. Since yesterday the wildfire size has increased by just over 500 hectares.

Heavy equipment continued to build fire guard along the south side of the wildfire and have begun on the east and west sides. Firefighters continue to work on securing the fire guard using water trucks and are extinguishing hotspots 30 metres into the wildfire. Tomorrow, there will be 34 firefighters, three helicopters and six heavy equipment groups working on the wildfire. As soon as visibility improves airtankers will be requested. At this time, communities and highways are not at risk. For your safety do not enter into active wildfire areas.

Map SWF124

SWF130 was detected July 18 and is located approximately 90.7 kilometres northwest of Red Earth Creek. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 1,627 hectares. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits.

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 6,363 hectares in size. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits. 

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

SWF126 is located approximately 17 kilometres northeast of Swan Hills. The wildfire is 0.23 hectares and is being held. 

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. Tomorrow, nine firefighters will be patrolling to confirm SWF106 and SWF075 are extinguished. 

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. Tomorrow, there will be 17 firefighters with a helicopter working to extinguish this wildfire.

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. Tomorrow, there will be 25 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. Tomorrow, there will be 17 firefighters with a helicopter working on these wildfires.

SWF095 is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Peerless Lake. It is estimated to be 1,989 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control. This wildfire will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits.

SWF092 and SW093 are located approximately 85 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The wildfires are three and 2,421 hectares in size and are classified as burning out of control. These wildfires will be monitored by aircraft when visibility permits.

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 hectares in size. Eight firefighters will be patrolling to confirm the wildfire is extinguished.

SWF075 was detected on July 8th and is located approximately 10 kilometres east of Little Buffalo. This 3.0 hectare wildfire is under control. Tomorrow, nine firefighters will be patrolling to confirm SWF106 and SWF075 are extinguished.

Since January 1, 2024, 133 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 30,460.6 hectares.  

Since January 1, 2024, 924 wildfires have been reported in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, resulting in a total burned area of 480,823.07 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