LAKELAND - On Friday, many residents across the Lakeland woke to find the summertime sky filled with hazy smoke. According to the weather forecast from Environment Canada, widespread smoke conditions were expected to remain in the region through the weekend.
The smoke is believed to be from wildfires burning in north and northwestern Alberta and northern British Columbia.
Going into the weekend, there were 146 active wildfires across Alberta. Officials with Alberta Wildfire say that as of July 18, there were 38 active wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area, which spreads from Cold Lake to Athabasca and north to the Conklin area. Of those wildfires, 22 were classified as being out of control, 10 were being held, and six were under control.
One of those northern fires is burning about 50 kilometres north of Conklin and has affected travel along the northern part of Highway 881 that runs from Lac La Biche to Fort McMurray. The highway was closed to traffic near Janvier on Wednesday night as the wildfire and smoke created dangerous conditions for motorists. The highway was reopened on Thursday night, but Alberrta Wildfire officials were continuing to urge caution to motorists travelling the northern roadway.
Melissa Story, a spokesperson for the Government of Alberta, stated on Friday that various places throughout the province were continuing to experience smoky conditions, including the Lakeland area.
“The Lac La Biche Forest Area does have smoky conditions in parts due to the current wildfires,” she told Lakeland This Week, adding that typically, smoke advisories in the province are issued by Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Air quality advisory for Lac La Biche area
On Friday, Environment Canada did issue an air quality advisory and a heat warning for the Lac La Biche area. The advisories cautioned that temperatures were expected to exceed 30C for extended periods through the weekend and beyond.
“A prolonged heat event continues, with daytime highs between 28 and 36 degrees Celsius. Overnight lows will remain warm, ranging from near 14 up to 21 degrees Celsius, and will not provide much relief from the daytime heat,” noted the temperature advisory, while offering some relief in the coming days. “Cooler temperatures are expected to start moving into northwestern parts of the province mid next week.”
With the heat, smoke and continued wildfire dangers, Story says that several agencies are prepared to assist residents with environmental issues. She says the government recommends anyone experiencing respiratory issues to contact HealthLink at 811 for medical advice. She added that the Air Quality Index is a great resource for learning about smoke and air conditions in Alberta.
In northern Alberta, there are 23 active wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest area, with 10 of those listed as out of control, while the High Level Forest Area has 12 out of control wildfires.
The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area going into the weekend was listed as ‘Extreme.’
Going into the weekend, a region-wide fire ban remained in effect, restricting campfires and any open burning.
Another week of hot
The weather forecast link from the Lac La Biche POST newsroom at www.lakelandtoday.ca for the coming week shows the hot weather trend continuing to at least Thursday, with daytime highs exceeding 30C.
