Slave Lake Forest Area - April 26, 2025

 

Fire lookouts are watching for smoke and firefighters with helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond to any new wildfires that start.

Wildfire situation

Firefighters responded to one new wildfire yesterday evening. The fire is under control and has been turned over to the landowner to extinguish.

Since January 1, 2025, 32 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 28.82 hectares. 

To view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard

Firefighters burning 

Over the next several weeks, firefighters will be burning areas of dead and 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

As of March 1, fire permits are required for any burning within the Forest Protection Area, except for 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 you could be fined and may be responsible for the costs of fighting the wildfire.

Prevent wildfires

Spring wildfires are almost always human-caused. 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.
• Extinguish your campfire — soak it with water, stir the ashes, then soak it again until it’s cold to the touch.
• 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.