Courtesy of Big Lakes County (picture at bottom):
Wildfire Situation
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, dry and windy conditions. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are focusing on all critical areas of these wildfires.
There are now seven out of control wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
Grizzly Complex – SWF057 (Grizzly Ridge Wildfire), SWF063 (East Prairie, Gilwood & Banana Belt Wildfire), SWF064 (Blue Lake Wildfire)
The hot, dry conditions resulted in increased fire behavior across all wildfires in the Grizzly Complex yesterday. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to action hotspots and flare ups, as well as building fire guards in critical areas. With the south/southeast winds yesterday the wildfires did not experience significant growth. In total there are 88 firefighters,14 helicopters and six heavy equipment groups working on the Grizzly complex wildfires.
Due to the southern winds today, smoky conditions will persist in the are around the Town of High Prairie and along Highway 33.
SWF-057 (Grizzly Ridge Wildfire) – located approximately 26 kilometres south of Kinuso and over 30 kilometers southwest of the Town of Slave Lake, is classified as out of control and has burned an estimated 8,136 hectares. There was increased fire activity observed yesterday, and firefighters were working on flare ups along the east and south flanks of this wildfire. Firefighters continue to work with a nodwell and heavy equipment along the west portion of the wildfire (near highway 33) and today, firefighters will be establishing hose line in this area. The wildfire did cross the established fire guards in some areas yesterday. Firefighters with helicopters bucketing will be focusing on these locations today and heavy equipment will continue to build fire guard on the southeast portion of the wildfire. There are 29 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.
SWF-063 (East Prairie, Gilwood & Banana Belt Wildfire) – located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 69,074 hectares. Firefighters have been working on flare ups in the northeast portion of the wildfire as well as working with helicopters and airtankers in the East Prairie Metis Settlement area. Firefighters will continue to focus on addressing hot spots in the Banana Belt / East Prairie Metis Settlement areas today. The wildfire crossed the fire guard and retardant line in some areas of the wildfire and today additional heavy equipment groups will be moved into these areas to re-establish the fire guard. Firefighters will continue working along the Enilda road, toward East Prairie Metis Settlement with support of the local fire department. Firefighters and helicopters are also working on hotspots on the lower eastern flank of the wildfire. There are 50 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.
SWF-064 (Blue Lake Wildfire) – is located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills, is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 22,398 hectares.In the late afternoon yesterday, firefighters observed an increase in fire activity in the north end of the wildfire however there was no significant growth. Firefighters will continue to monitor this wildfire from the air and heavy equipment will continue to build fire guard. There are two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.
Click here to view a map of the Grizzly Complex.
SWF068 & PWF038 (Kimiwan Complex Wildfire) – is a provincial Wildfire of Note and is currently classified as Out of Control (OC). It is estimated to be approximately 64,000 ha in size. Wildland firefighters are working to contain this fire after it was increasingly active again yesterday. Peavine Metis Settlement is under a mandatory evacuation notice due to the fire’s activity on the sourthwest flank. A forecasted low pressure system is expected to bring NW winds tomorrow or Tuesday. The wildfire’s north perimeter is approximately 38 kilometers south of Cadotte Lake and 39 kilometers south of Little Buffalo. It is currently being driven to the north by southerly wind.
Fire Ban & Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction
A Fire Ban and OHV Restriction is in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Slave Lake Forest Area Wildfire Update and Peace River Wildfire Update.
A fire ban and OHV restriction remains in effect. Firefighters urge everyone to continue using caution and to report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Smoky conditions
Due to the numerous wildfires in Alberta, smoky conditions will persist in communities and along highways. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Before travelling check www.511.Alberta.ca for information the latest road conditions or closures. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from and to view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Wildfire Danger is EXTREME
The wildfire danger is EXTREME in the Slave Lake Forest Area. With the return of extremely warm temperatures and gusty winds, firefighters urge everyone to continue to use caution as a wildfire will ignite easily and spread quickly. There is a Fire Ban and OHV Restriction in effect. visit www.albertafirebans.ca. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).
Reporting wildfires
We have firefighters in aircraft working on the out of control wildfires and fire lookouts watching for smoke. While we always appreciate people calling in to report wildfires, the large volume of calls we are currently receiving is diverting our resources away from fighting wildfires. As always, please still call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported, but assume that large columns of smoke and burned over areas have already been detected and reported.
For updates on the locations of active fires in our region, please visit NASA | LANCE | FIRMS.
