High Level Area Update

Chuckegg Creek wildfire is extinguished - October 22, 2020

Posted on Thu, Oct 22, 2020

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The fire danger is LOW for the High Level Forest Area. Please always use caution around all open fires. If you see smoke or fire in the forest, call 310-FIRE.


CHUCKEGG CREEK WILDFIRE UPDATE | OCTOBER 22, 2020

The Chuckegg Creek wildfire (HWF042), which started in the spring of last year, was declared extinguished on October 13, 2020. Thanks to the hard work of wildland firefighters, structural fire departments, First Nations, industry and municipal partners, this wildfire has now been extinguished.

The 17-month Chuckegg Creek wildfire started on May 12, 2019, and was caused by lightning. This intense wildfire burned 334, 772 hectares, and caused the loss of structures and numerous evacuations throughout the region.

Over the winter of 2019/2020, firefighters and local timber operators continued working to extinguish interior hotspots as well as open up access to areas for heavy equipment to work. This also included cutting down fire-damaged trees which were salvaged and used for lumber at local High Level Forest Area mills. Areas north of the Peace River have a high component of peat moss soil, which is difficult to extinguish due to the fact fire smoulders in these types of soil. Peat moss soil lacks moisture and contains woody debris, which can continue to burn even under a layer of snow.

This past summer, firefighters extinguished hotspots and lookout observers were on high alert looking for any that might pop up. Wildfire staff utilized aerial infrared scanning to detect any sources of heat. The wet weather also provided relief, as the region saw heavier than usual amounts of rain. This helped to normalize the area drought conditions that had affected the forest fuels for the past five years.

Extinguishing a wildfire of that size and strength is not an easy task, but it is an example of how cooperation between emergency responders and partners can lead to a successful conclusion.

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE | OCTOBER 22, 2020 AT 1:30 p.m.

Since March 1, 2020, the High Level Forest Area has recorded 52 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 132.71 hectares.

Since March 1, 2020, Alberta has recorded 698 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 3, 265.07  hectares.

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OHV SAFETY 

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 on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit www.wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.

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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.

For more information, please contact: 

Victoria Ostendorf | Wildfire Information Officer

780-841-9387

victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca

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