HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE | MAY 5, 2020 AT 11:00 AM
There are currently two active wildfires in the High Level Area all of which are Under Control (UC). Click here for a map of all fire locations and their status within the High Level Forest Area.
The weather forecasted for today is a high of 18 degrees, relative humidity at 25%, and winds out of the southeast at 15 km/hr. With no significant rain in the forecast.
Since March 1, 2020, the High Level Forest Area has recorded 5 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 0.34 hectares.
Since March 1, 2020, Alberta has recorded 99 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 36 hectares.
(Chuckegg Creek hotspot in the southeast, May 5, 2020)
Chuckegg Creek Wildfire
The Chuckegg Creek wildfire had a hotspot pop up (Sunday May 3), in the southeast. The fire is approximately 15 hectares in size. This fire is located approximately 10 km north of highway 697. This fire is north of Blue Hills, on the north side of the Peace River. There are 21 firefighters along with 7 helicopters, and heavy equipment working on this fire. There are no communities or homes at risk.
A second hotspot on Chuckegg was identified yesterday by firefighters. The hotspot is located approximately 10 km to the southwest of Devils Lake. This hotspot is one hectare in size. There are four firefighters with one helicopter working on extinguishing the fire in this area.
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 and some help from Mother Nature.
Now with the snow gone, warmer temperatures and the spring winds, some new hotspots are being discovered. All of these areas are within the fire perimeter. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are working to extinguish these areas and are monitoring the area for any new hotspots. An infrared scan is also scheduled for this week of the entire Chuckegg Creek fire and the Jackpot fire in the north.
For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.
FIRE BAN IN EFFECT
There is a fire ban in place inside the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, as well as in Alberta provincial parks and protected areas, until further notice. These steps are part of a number of actions the department is implementing to help mitigate wildfire risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.Taking action in advance to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires will allow Alberta Wildfire to make the best possible use of resources when the availability of firefighters could be reduced because of the pandemic.
Please visit AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected area.
FIRE PERMITS
Fire permits are suspended or cancelled. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, but will need to be approved by a forest officer. Please call 780-926-5407.
Prohibited
• Wood campfires on public lands.
• Wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds.
• Backyard firepits, and
• Barbeques with charcoal briquettes.
Allowed
• Propane / natural gas powered appliances
• Open flame CSA approved oil devices
• Wood fires in an enclosed facility or device, which have a chimney with a spark arrestor
• OHVs
** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An enclosed facility or device is one that is fully contained with a chimney that has a spark arrestor. Users are still responsible for care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans. Approved activities or devices will not prevent potential prosecution or litigation if the user or device starts a wildfire.
OHV USAGE
There are no off-highway vehicle restrictions currently in place in the Forest Protection area. As of right now, all Albertans may enjoy using their off-highway vehicles, on public land until conditions change.
An off-highway vehicle restriction in the Forest Protection Area will be reintroduced if there is an increase in the hazard level. This phased approach will allow us to address the wildfire risk area-by-area, allowing Albertans the freedom to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We will re-evaluate daily.
For more information, please contact: Phone: 1-866-394-3473
Victoria Ostendorf
High Level Forest Area,
Wildfire Information Officer
780-841-9387
RELATED INFORMATION
Websites:
- Alberta Wildfire
- Alberta Fire Bans
- FireSmart in Alberta
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Air Quality Health Index
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation
Social Media:
