Recent rainfall has lessened the chance of wildfires locally, but officials remain vigilant.
In a July 27 report, wildfire information officer for the Slave Lake and Peace River areas, Leah Lovequist, reports the wildfire danger is low due to cooler temperatures and scattered showers. In High Prairie and area, over three inches of rain fell.
“Firefighters still urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating outdoors,” she says.
“When the fire danger is “low” fire can still ignite but is not expected to spread to deeper vegetation or larger fuels, such as trees.”
The area remains on alert due to expected lightning activity which may spark new wildfires.
“Fire lookouts are watching for smoke and firefighters with helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond to any new wildfires that start,” she says.
Due to wildfire activity, smoky conditions will persist in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Residents can visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from. Anyone with health concerns should call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link.
As of July 28, a fire ban remains in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Slave Lake Forest District. 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.
The following is prohibited under the ban:
- All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits.
- Barbecue charcoal briquettes.
- Fireworks and exploding targets.
The following is allowed:
- Propane and/or 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 arrester.
- Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.
- Off-highway vehicle use is allowed.
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
The Town of High Prairie and the Big Lakes County Fire Permit Area have also issued a fire ban