A wildfire about 65 kilometres north of Lac La Biche Lake now covers 3,500 hectares and remains out of control, according to the most recent information from Alberta Forestry.
A wildfire about 65 kilometres north of Lac La Biche Lake now covers 3,500 hectares and remains out of control, according to the most recent information from Alberta Forestry.
The fire, located near Caribou Lake northwest of Lac La Biche Lake, is producing a smoke column that is clearly visible from Wandering River and Highway 63, and also visible across the lake from the hamlet of Lac La Biche. POST readers have reported some smoke blowing into the hamlet of Lac La Biche, though the origin of this smoke has not yet been confirmed by Alberta Forestry.
Alberta Forestry advises "careful consideration" for anyone planning to random camp on land north of Lac La Biche Lake. Particularly, they note that some camping locations off of the Old Conklin Highway - also known as "The Miles" - may be affected by smoke from the Caribou Lake fire.
As of June 28, 45 firefighters, three helicopters with buckets and two dozer groups were working on the Caribou Lake fire. Intense, unpredictable fire behaviour has caused ground crews to temporarily withdraw from the fire. The fire grew on its southeast flank on June 27, when winds pushed flames past dozer guards.
The wildfire hazard for the Lac La Biche Wildfire Management Area is currently rated as "extreme." A number of other wildfires in Lac La Biche County and neighbouring areas are currently burning, including an 8,000 hectare out of control fire northeast of Cowper Lake on the Saskatchewan border, and a 6.5 hectare out of control fire in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
Lac La Biche County has been put under a fire restriction as of noon on June 29, according to a release sent by local fire chief John Kokotilo.
Under a fire restriction, all fires are banned except for those in engineered fire pits. Barbecues, both charcoal and propane, are also allowed.
Fires in burn barrels, light burning of brush and grass, and burning of demolished building material are all banned for the time being. All fire permits that were previously issued are suspended until the fire restriction is removed.
