UPDATES: Incident command post set up to fight fire north of HWY660; wildfire season begins with flurry

The warm temperatures over the weekend combined with dry conditions saw multiple fires quickly spread in the Lakeland area, as they continue to burn into the week.

Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority’s latest update on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that no structures have been lost in the 30 hectare blaze near Highway 660 and Moose Lake.

The cause is still under investigation as the fire is still classified as “being held.”

At approximately 5:00PM on Sunday, Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) fire crews from Station 5 (Bonnyville) and Station 3 (Glendon) responded to a brush fire on the north side of Highway 660 and Range Road 465.

Iron River, Fort Kent, and La Corey crews soon were dispatched, as heavy equipment was moved to help contain the spread. Three helicopters and an air-borne tanker have also assisted.

Due to the nature of the landscape and vegetation, access to some areas of the fire has been difficult, the BRFA says.

They’ve set up an incident command post on site and are expected to continue operations for the coming days.

We would like to thank the community members and local businesses for their assistance and support during this incident.

Image credit: BRFA. Picture posted on Monday night with continued firefighting efforts.

Frog Lake under control

While information is scarce, two fires in Frog Lake First Nation are now being held, after blazes began on Friday.

It is believed the fires were brought under control on Saturday evening, with one of them on Highway 897 at Township Road 562. The second is at Horse Dance Road and Hiy Hiy Road.

Some residents were evacuated, but the fire did not reach the townsite.

This was a massive coordinated effort with fire crews from Bonnyville, Elk Point, Lac La Biche, Kehewin, and Onion Lake all assisting, as well as helicopter and air services to try and limit the damage.

Some reports range from 3-5 homes perished in the fires. Power poles also faced damage.

Cold Lake South

Cold Lake Fire-Rescue responded to a fire Friday afternoon in Cold Lake South, caused by a spark from some welding work that was being done on the site.

Although workers tried to extinguish the fire with buckets of water, it got away and started a tractor tire on fire, the City said.

Crews responded with three units, including one pumper firetruck and one tanker firetruck. Nine firefighters were on the scene and got the fire quickly under control.

“This is a reminder of how quickly fire can get away in these types of conditions,” said Fire Chief Jeff Fallow.

 

Image credit: City of Cold Lake.

Kehewin end of April

Kehewin Cree Nation saw a fire toward the end of April. No homes were lost in the fire.

Cold Lake First Nations, Frog Lake First Nations, Beaver Lake First Nations, Tribal Chiefs Fire Chief, Confederacy of Treaty 6, Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, Glendon Fire, Elk Point Fire and Red Deer Fire & Flood battled the blaze right alongside Kehewin Fire Department.