High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Wildfire Update | June 19, 2019 at 11:30 a.m

Posted on Wed, Jun 19, 2019

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The Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek Wildfires Remain Out of Control

Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction Continues

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Thousands of kilometers of hose is needed when fighting these large wildfires. The hose is then packed into a "melon roll", making it easier for firefighters to carry the equipment from the fire line.

Click here for a map of all fire locations and their status within the High Level Forest Area.

Firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are positioned throughout the High Level Forest Area to respond to any new wildfire starts. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE.

Be prepared, stay informed.  Download the Alberta Emergency Alert App or visit their website by Clicking Here.  You can also check with the County, the Town or your local community to see if new alerts or evacuation orders have been issued.


HIGH LEVEL AREA UPDATE | June 19, 2019 11:30 a.m

There are 6 active wildfires in the High Level Area.  3 are out of control, 2 are held being and one is under control.

HWF088 is classified as Out of Control and located on the west side of Hutch Lake and is estimated at 100 hectares.  No communities are at risk at this time due to this wildfire.  The fire is located 25 km southeast of Meander River, 44 km northwest from the Town of High Level/Bushe and approximately 20 km northwest from Hutch Lake Cabin area.  Transportation is on site monitoring  smoke. There are 25 firefighters, two helicopters and airtanker operations working on this fire.

HWF089 is Being Held and is located on the east side of highway 35 North and is approximately 35 km south of Meander River.  The fire is estimated at 12 hectares.  Nine firefighters and one helicopter is planned working towards extinguishing this fire.  

HWF090 is classified as Being Held at 12 hectares.  Nine firefighters and one helicopter is working towards extinguishing this fire early in the morning.  The fire is located 35 km northeast of Meander River.


THE CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE | June 19, 2019 11:30 a.m

There was a 0.5 hectare spot across the Peace River last night in the oxbow northwest of Peace River.  Helicopters with buckets were quick to work on this spot fire.  Airtankers were unable to drop retardant in this area due to visibility issues with the smoke last night.  Helicopters with buckets returned to work on this spot early this morning. We have heavy equipment in place and are working on a plan to create breaks in this area to restrict forward spread of the fire.

Structure protection is a priority and has been deployed in La Crete and is under examination for Blue Hills. Heavy equipment is also staged in both of these areas.  A trigger point back of the river in the Blue Hills area has been established and we are watching that carefully.  Residents in the area should be aware of the potential for embers to spot across the river in the afternoon winds.

This portion of the fire didn’t travel much further north and remains south of Devil Lake.  Structure protection is in place on southern rural residents in this area and some clean up has been done with heavy equipment.  Beaver Nation structure protection will be looked at today as well.

The fire is burning at the river by the oxbow and is about six km back from the river in a line directly west of La Crete.  The fire is about six km south of Devil Lake and about three km south of Surette Lake.

Operations on the rest of the wildfire continue as outlined in the update from last night.

Today’s concern is the strong and gusty winds.

The forecast for today is for a high of 21 degrees, 35% humidity, 50% cloud cover and South winds now switching to N/NW and continuing NW strong and gusty until Saturday.

The fire is now 325,353 hectares. Current map is attached.

There are 851 firefighters and personnel, 52 helicopters, 153 pieces of heavy equipment.

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THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE | June 19, 2019 11:30 a.m

Heavy equipment and firefighters have established fireguard on the southeast side of the fire.  Air support is working towards preventing the fire from reaching Highway 35. Firefighters are working on hotspots on the west side of the fire today.   

The fire is holding in the southwest.  Also holding on the north side, west of Hay River.  

The west side of the fire is currently burning away from Highway 35.

The north part of the fire is now approximately 11 km from the Northwest Territories border.

Due to heavy smoke throughout yesterday, firefighters have not been able to assess the north east boundary. The fire is expected to keep moving to the east and northeast direction but has not reached Indian Cabins at this time. 

There are 116 firefighters and support staff, 20 helicopters and 15 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.

The last recorded size is 75,680 hectares.

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FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION REMAIN IN EFFECT

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A Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction is in effect for the High Level Forest Area due to dry conditions and no significant rainfall in the forecast. The ban and restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued.

Prohibited

  • All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.
  • Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
  • Fireworks and exploding targets.
  • The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands.

Allowed

  • Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
  • Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.
  • Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.

Visit albertafirebans.ca for more information or download the new Alberta Fire Bans mobile app.


ALERTS AND EVACUATIONS | BE PREPARED, STAY INFORMED

TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL

For more information, please visit the Town of High Level Facebook page.

PADDLE PRAIRIE METIS SETTLEMENT

For information on the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement evacuation, please visit their Facebook page.

MACKENZIE COUNTY

More information is also available at www.facebook.com/Mackenzie-County-262409787134568/ for Mackenzie County residents. 

To stay informed on all road closure info visit the Alberta Transportation website or download the mobile app.

SMOKE ISSUES

Smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta has caused poor air quality and reducing visibility at times. Winds will continue to shift bringing smoky conditions. For health related smoke issues, please visit Alberta Health Services.

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Victoria Ostendorf | Wildfire Information Officer | High Level Forest Area

Mobile: 780-841-9381 

1-866-FYI-FIRE

victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca

 

Leslie Lozinski | Wildfire Information Officer | Chuckegg Creek Wildfire

Mobile: 780-623-9758

1-866-FYI-FIRE

leslie.lozinski@gov.ab.ca

 

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