Slave Lake Forest Area - April 15, 2025

Weather

For Tuesday April 15, the temperatures will be 8 to 12 degrees Celsius, with relative humidity of 20 percent. Strong westerly winds are expected at 25 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 50.

First airtanker of the wildfire season has arrived in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Wildfire Situation

Since January 1, 2025, there have been 12 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area burning a total of 5.08 hectares. All 12 wildfires were human caused, with the majority originating from winter burning projects. If you conducted a winter burn, return to the site and ensure the fires are completely extinguished.

To view information about wildfires, their locations and statistics visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

Firefighters burning 

Over the next several weeks, firefighters will be burning areas of dead dry grass around communities in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Burning is an efficient way to remove this extremely flammable fire fuel. Trained firefighters conduct these burns under specific weather conditions to ensure the fires are controlled and to minimize the impact of smoke to roadways and communities.

If you have any questions about these grass burns contact Wildfire Information Officer Leah Lovequist 780-849-0945.

Fire permits required

Alberta’s wildfire season began on March 1st. This means that fire permits are required for burning within the Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires.

Fire permits are free and can be requested online. You may also request your fire permit by calling your local Forestry Office.

Slave Lake 780-849-7377
High Prairie 780-523-6619
Wabasca 780-891-3860

Fire permits help us track what is burning on the landscape. If you are burning without a fire permit or not following conditions on your fire permit, your fire could be considered a wildfire and you could be fined and may be responsible for the costs of fighting the wildfire.

The abundance of dry grass in the spring poses a significant wildfire risk.

Prevent wildfires

 Human caused wildfires are preventable. Please do your part and follow these tips to help prevent wildfires:

• Check your winter burns – Fires started during the winter can smolder underground and reignite in the spring if not fully extinguished. Always ensure your winter burns are completely out.

• Get a fire permit before burning – A fire permit is required for any type of burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Contact your local Forestry office by calling 310-0000 or apply online for a free permit.

• Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) – Stop frequently to remove debris from hot spots on your vehicle. Always carry firefighting tools such as a shovel, pail, and extinguisher.

• Don’t park in tall grass – The heat from your vehicle’s muffler can ignite dry grass. Always park on bare ground or gravel.

• Use equipment safely – Operate spark-producing equipment away from dry grass and always have a shovel and water source on hand.

• Farming equipment – Clean debris from hot spots regularly and keep firefighting tools like a shovel, pail, and extinguisher nearby.