Slave Lake Area Update
Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update – May 25th
Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger is VERY HIGH/EXTREME for the Slave Lake Forest Area.
Firefighters urge everyone to use caution as recent warm weather has caused the forest and areas of grass to become extremely dry. Under these dry conditions a fire will ignite easily and spread very quickly.
Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE or #FIRE on your cell phone.
Weather
For today the maximum temperature will be 15 degrees and winds will be from the east at 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. Under crossover conditions a fire will ignite easily and spread rapidly.
On Alert
Fire lookouts are on high alert constantly watching for smoke and firefighters in helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.
Wildfire Situation
Photo: An abandoned campfire left smouldering at a random campsite in the Fawcette Lake area on Monday May 24th.
Local fire departments and wildland firefighters responded to three new wildfires yesterday afternoon. All three were quickly contained.
Since March 1st in the Slave Lake Forest Area, there have been 36 wildfires which have burned 33.27 hectares.
For information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.
Prevent Wildfires
In the Slave Lake Forest Area there was a total of five wildfires over the long weekend and all were human caused. Human caused wildfires are all preventable.
Please do your part to prevent wildfires.
If you plan to use an OHV remember to stop often and check hot spots. Debris can heat up, drop to the ground and start a wildfire.
When having a campfire, keep it small, safe and always attended. When you are leaving your site or headed to bed, your campfire must be extinguished. Soak it, stir up the ashes, soak it again to ensure it is out.
Check Alberta Fire Bans
Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.
Fire Permits
From now until October 31st, a fire permit is required for any burning, except a campfire, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
To request your free fire permit call your local Agriculture and Forestry office.
Red Earth/Slave Lake 780-849-7377
Wabasca 780-891-3860
High Prairie 780-523-6619
Fire permits help us to track what is burning on the landscape. If you’re burning without a fire permit or outside fire permit conditions, your fire is considered a wildfire. By getting a permit you help keep our firefighters free to fight real wildfires instead of responding to the smoke in your backyard.