Fort McMurray Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Fort McMurray area is HIGH, and EXTREME north of Lake Athabasca. 

Lightning continues to be the story for wildfire starts in our area. There were six new starts yesterday. None of these new starts threaten any values. Three have been extinguished. Wind out of the south should clear the smoke out of Fort McMurray later today. Click here to see the smoke forecast and the source areas of smoke. If you have health concerns, contact the Alberta Health Link at 811 or visit their website.

Recreational users in the Richardson Back-country and public lands around Fort McMurray should take extra caution with OHV use. Safe OHV and campfire use practices should be applied.

Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update

There are currently 10 wildfires burning, all lightning starts. No values at risk are threatened. Three are out of control, 6 are being held, and 1 is under control.

Three of these fires are approximately 50 kilometres east of Fort Chipewyan, directly across Lake Athabasca, 5 are north of Fort Chipewyan, and two are an estimated 50 kilometres west of Fort McMurray. 

There are 64 firefighters, 13 helicopters and 2 air tankers pre-positioned, and working on these fires today.

Since March 1st, there have been 68 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area burning a total of 5,184.49 hectares.

Provincial Summary - 10 am, July 20

Since our last report on July 19 at 10 a.m., there have been 14 new wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. 3 are out of control, 3 are being held, 1 under control and 7 have been extinguished.

There are currently 37 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. 6 are out of control, 15 are being held, 10 are under control and 6 have been turned over to the responsible parties.

Since March 1, 2019, Alberta has recorded 808 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 816,696.93 hectares.

 If you spot a wildfire, call 310-FIRE!