Leader staff

A couple of days of near +30 temperatures last week pushed the fire hazard up to very high in some parts of the Slave Lake Forest Area, and extreme in others. Officials were warning of the possibility of further outbreaks, thanks to “lightning received over the last few weeks.”

That message was on the last day of July. A day earlier, a new fire was spotted near Peavine, north of High Prairie. It was the 159th of the year, and it wasn’t the last to show up before the day was out. Fire #161 was due north of Lesser Slave Lake, slightly left of centre, and it was out of control as of the 31st. The one near Peavine was being held, at just 1.5 hectares in size.

There were 14 actives fires in the SLFA on the 31st – six out of control, four being held and four under control.

The Red Earth East Complex of fires continues to get the lion’s share of attention in the region. Five of these are still considered to be out of control. Three others are being held.

Due to the hot weather, fire behaviour within three of the fires picked up last week, but the report says it was contained.