LAC LA BICHE – Firefighters from various Alberta fire departments, including Lac La Biche, continue to battle a wildfire that forced a mandatory evacuation order on June 4 for the area of southern Winefred Lake and Grist Lake.
This order, which was implemented by Lac La Biche County, required all members of the public in the affected area to leave immediately.
A local state of emergency was also declared in the area, which is located northwest of Cold Lake and northeast of Lac La Biche. According to information from the provincial government, the Caribou Lake Wildfire (LWF090) is burning out of control and is an estimated 62,768 ha in size, as of an update on June 4.
The provincial wildfire map showing wildfires across the province pegged the fire at 64,572 ha in size, and classified the general cause as "human."
Mark Wiebe, a deputy fire chief with Lac La Biche County Fire Services, explained that while the suppression actions being taken by firefighters have had some effect on the wildfire, it has yet to be contained.
“It’s out of control, and so, it’s doing what it wants to do,” Wiebe told Lakeland This Week. “With the wind shifts and different things, there is potential for some of the cabins and structures around those lakes to be impinged.”
When asked what role Lac La Biche County Fire Services is playing, Wiebe explained that a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) team is in the Winefred Lake and Grist Lake area assisting in efforts to combat the wildfire.
This WUI team is involved in structure protection duties in the area.
For more information, the public is asked to call 780-623-6767.
