Air tankers are skimming water from Gregoire Lake.
Derek Gagnon with Alberta Wildfire said that crews are taking the water to a wildfire in the Lac La Biche Forested Area, not far from the Fort McMurray Forested Area.
The fire, which is being called the Kettle Creek Wildfire, has grown to 1850 ha. as of Wednesday morning.
Tuesday morning at 9:45 the size was update to 12 square kilometres., shortly before 2 p.m. it was updated to 15, and by end of day it was listed at about 19.5.
While the fire grew in size, Gagnon said the fire wasn’t very active and that their operations were the biggest source of flame and smoke.
Gagnon said there’s no risk to our community at this time.
“The concern isn’t there on our end. The distance as well as the terrain it has to cover, the amount of wet ground in there is just not making it a concern for Anzac or Fort McMurray.”
He said it’s about 70 to 80 per cent contained by bog and muskeg, so crews are working on the remainder with bulldozers and ignition.
While the fire is considered out of control, he said it’s “not really expected to grow too too much more,” as around 50 firefighters and support staff along with six helicopters and six pieces of heavy equipment are working on the blaze.
Gregoire Lake is being used because it’s the biggest water source in the closest distance that can be skimmed.
Crews will continue working on the blaze until the fire is under control.
Recreational boaters are encouraged to stay off the lake.
