Fire crews holding wildfire at 90-hectares, the M.D. says

Image submitted: Jay Melvin. Firefighters on scene are debriefing and are ready to hit the ground running.

The 90-hectare wildfire burning near Pelican Point on Moose Lake is currently being held according to Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Fire Chief Jay Melvin in the latest update at 8am Tuesday morning.

Overnight, crews established 50-foot Cat guards on both the north and south sides of the fire.

The M.D. says at one point, the fire jumped the line, but operators got on it quickly and contained it.

Crews are currently creating a 25-foot Cat guard south of the fire. Once that guard is done, fixed wing aircraft will start water bombing the north perimeter close to the lake.

The wildfire started at 5pm yesterday south of Franchere Bay on Range Road 474 and spread rapidly due to the dry conditions in the Moose Lake forest areas.

Following the aircraft attack, there will be four, eight-men teams working from the lakeside and Range Road 474 attacking the fire, working their way towards each other.

Fire crews from Bonnyville, Glendon, La Corey and Iron River as well as Alberta Agriculture and Forestry are on scene.

There are also M.D. staff and private heavy equipment operators working on the Cat guards.

Continue monitoring the M.D.’s Facebook page and website (www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca) for updates.

The fire is currently being held at 90 hectares (or 222 acres). Range Road 474 remains closed at Hwys. 28 and 660.

Melvin asks residents to continue to stay away from the area, and stay off of Moose Lake to let fire crews continue their work.

Please note – the following boat launches on Moose Lake are closed to allow for aerial firefighting efforts:

• Vezeau Beach
• Turcotte
• Birch Grove
• North Shore Heights

These boat launches will be closed until further notice.