Moose Lake Fire extinguished

Image: Moose Lake fire zone. Provided by the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority.

Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Fire Chief, Jay Melvin says there are no live fires burning in the Moose Lake area today. The fire was held to 110 hectares (272 acres).

“The guards held overnight. There are some spots still smoldering, but that’s about it,” he said. “We have two BRFA crews working the line this morning.”

There will also be two crews from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) and a crew from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry working on the fire lines today, in addition to the 25 BRFA and M.D. staff members. There are also wildfire investigators on site.

“Residents can expect to see helicopters again today as they continue to drop water on the area,” Melvin said.

He anticipates, that if all goes well and the weather cooperates, the BRFA members will be able to cease operations today. SRD staff will remain on site for a couple of days.

He asks residents to continue to stay away from the area, and stay off of Moose Lake to let fire crews continue their work. The boat launches at Vezeau Beach, Turcotte, Birch Grove, Bonnyville Beach and North Shore Heights are closed. He would also like to remind residents there is still a Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Ban in place for the entire M.D.

Range Road 474 remains closed at Highways 28 and 660.