Residents in several areas in and around Lac La Biche County have been put on evacuation notice over the last few days as wildland fires continue to threaten.
Some people have already left their homes as flames and smoke from nearby fires created a sense of urgency. Many members of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation, located about 15 kilometres south of the Lac La Biche hamlet, left rural homes for shelter at the community centre in the last two days. A fire burning inside the community has already scorched 150 hectares of land. That fire, say Alberta Wildfire officials began on Wednesday just north of the Elinor Lake Road and Range Road 130, about five kilometres south of Tina's Smoke Shop. Locally, the fire has been named the Buffalo Ranch Fire. On Thursday morning an evacuation order was in place for dozens of Beaver Lake residents in the area of Lameman Drive and Smallface drive.
The fire was listed as "being held" on Thursday night, through the joint efforts of the Alberta Wildfire crews, the Beaver Lake Cree Nation Fire Department, Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Services, along with firefighters from Kikino, Goodfish Lake and Saddle Lake. Dozers have created a fire guard around the fire, which came within a little over a kilometre from residences.
The Buffalo Ranch Fire is the fourth fire on Beaver Lake over the last week, with Alberta Wildfire and local firefighters extinguishing the earlier ones. The largest of the earlier blazes was 30 hectares. Two of the earlier fires have been listed as human-caused, two others, including the Buffalo Ranch Fire remain under investigation.
Beaver Lake Cree Nation Fire Department officials are hopeful the evacuation orders will be removed on Friday, allowing residents to return to their homes.
Beaver Lake Cree Nation remains under a Fire Restriction.
Fire Banned or Restricted?
Provincial officials have put most "green" areas east of Highway 36, under a provincial Fire Restriction. A Fire Restriction allows for campfires within fire rings in campgrounds. Essential burning may be allowed with the permission of a provincial Forest Officer. Backyard firepits and charcoal briquette barbecues are also allowed.
Lac La Biche County fire officials put a Fire Ban into effect for all urban areas of the municipality. The Fire Ban means no backyard fires or campfires are allowed.
Portions of Lac La Biche County fall under the provincial fire regulations, meaning some rural residents will still be allowed backyard fires — if they are in the Forest Protection Area. A map of the municipality's fire zones can be found at the Lac La Biche County website.
Other fires in the area have kept fire crews busy and residents watching the skies. A blaze just west of the Lac La Biche hamlet near the Knights of Columbus recreation grounds along Highway 663 drew crews from Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue stations on Thursday afternoon. The fire was listed as being under control after burning less than a tenth of a hectare. That fire was listed as human-caused.
Highway 881 affected by northern fires
Further north, near the communities of Janvier and Chard, several forest fires have threatened the homes and safety of residents and motorists. Earlier in the week, a large fire burning south of Janvier forced a closure of Highway 881 and an evacuation notice to community residents. Three larger fires are burning in three directions around Janvier, with the largest, a 150 hectare blaze to the west, being listed on Thursday night as being held. The two other fires — a 50 hectare burn south of the community and a 20 hectare fire to the north — are also listed as being held. Since the beginning of the fire season this year, Alberta Wildfire officials are reporting more than 30 fires in and around the Janvier community. Most are listed as extinguished and didn't burn more than a tenth of a hectare, and most have been identified as human-caused.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, north of Lac La Biche County has also issued a Fire Ban for all residents and visitors to its region.
Provincial and local fire officials continue to caution residents about fire awareness. With continuing dry conditions expected to last through the weekend and into the new week, restrictions and bans are expected to remain in place.
What is a Fire RESTRICTION?
· Existing fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued.
· Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed
· Essential burning may be allowed with written permission from a forest officer
Prohibited:
· All outdoor wood fires are banned on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas. The use of fireworks and exploding targets are also prohibited.
Allowed:
· Safe wood campfires (including charcoal briquettes) on private lands and in provincial campgrounds.
· Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques.
· Propane/ natural gas powered appliances.
· Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.
· Cooking, warming and lighting devices – all devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer’s standards.
In Lac La Biche County, a Fire Ban has been put in place.
What is a Fire BAN?
All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
No new Fire Permits will be issued
Prohibited:
· All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
· Backyard firepits • BBQ charcoal briquettes · The use of fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
· Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
· Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
· Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
· All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
