High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Update - June 11, 2020

Posted on Fri, Jun 05, 2020

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The fire danger is LOW for the High Level Forest Area. The fire ban has been lifted and a fire advisory has been put into effect. To report a wildfire please call, 310-FIRE(3473).


HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE | JUNE 11, 2020 AT 3:30 p.m.

There is one active wildfire in the High Level Forest Area. This fire is classified as Under Control (UC). Click here for a map of the fire location and its status within the High Level Forest Area.

Wildfires of note:

  • Chuckegg Creek (May 2019), fire (HWF042) is classified as Under Control (UC). See below for more information.

Since March 1, 2020, the High Level Forest Area has recorded 22 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 82 hectares.

Since March 1, 2020, Alberta has recorded 284 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 435 hectares.

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CHUCKEGG CREEK WILDFIRE | June 11, 2020 AT 3:30 p.m.

A hotspot on the east side of the Chuckegg Creek wildfire is active. This hotspot is burning within the fire perimeter and is approximately 111 hectares in size. There are 37 firefighters, two helicopters, and heavy equipment working on extinguishing this hotspot.

Firefighters have set up a base on the east side of the fire with firefighting resources and heavy equipment. This will allow firefighters to respond quickly to any new hotspots that may pop up. Firefighters continue to use infrared scanning to further identify hotspots on the east side of the fire as well.

Going into winter last year firefighters had recorded 50 hectares of active ground fire. Most of the areas discovered were in the east where the landscape is covered with peat moss. Peat moss can be challenging to work in as the fire can smoulder down to 10 feet. All these identifiable areas of ground fire were extinguished with heavy equipment.

Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to work on extinguishing these areas and are monitoring for any new ones.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.

Fire Advisory

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT | AS OF MAY 26, 2020

Due to reduced wildfire hazard, advanced operational preparedness and favourable weather conditions in many areas of the province, the fire ban in the Forest Protection Area has now been revoked and a fire advisory has been put into effect.

A fire advisory means Albertans in the Forest Protection Area can safely enjoy the use of a fire pit in their backyard, charcoal briquettes on a barbecue, or a safe campfire.

Permissible:

  • safe wood campfires 
  • backyard fire pits
  • charcoal briquette barbecues
  • use of propane, natural gas or powered appliance
  • catalytic or infrared-style heaters
  • safe burning with a permit
  • recreational off-highway vehicle use

Not permissible:

  • burning (excluding campfires) without a permit
  • unattended or unsafe campfires

Permits may not be issued as usual under a fire advisory. These precautions were put in place as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response plan to avoid multiple disasters at a time when resources may be limited. Two hundred additional firefighters were hired and are now trained and positioned to respond to new wildfire starts.

Restrictions can be phased back in as necessary to address wildfire risk area-by-area. We will re-evaluate daily. We expect this fire advisory to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in Alberta, while allowing Albertans to enjoy outdoor activities as much as possible.

Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Although the off-highway vehicle restriction is no longer in place, if you choose to drive an off-highway vehicle in Alberta’s forested areas please remember to check your hotspots regularly to prevent unintended wildfire starts.

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For more information, please contact: 

Phone: 1-866-394-3473

Victoria Ostendorf

High Level Forest Area,

Wildfire Information Officer

780-841-9387

victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca

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