High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Wildfire Update | June 20, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.

Posted on Thu, Jun 20, 2019

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The Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek Wildfires Remain Out of Control. Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction Continues. Report new fires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 20, 2019 AT 4:30 PM

There are 7 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires; 5 are Out of Control (OC), 1 is Being Held (BH) and 1 is Under Control (UC). (For info regarding Chuckegg and the Jackpot fire please see below.) Click here for a map of all fire locations and their status within the High Level Forest Area.

Wildfires of note;

Fire number, HWF093, is classified as Out of Control (OC) and is located approximately 15 km southeast of the community of South Tall Cree at 0.5 hectares. Winds are out of the north pushing the fire in a south direction. Firefighters along with air support from airtankers and helicopters with a water buckets have responded to this fire.


Fire number, HWF091, is classified as Out of Control (OC) and is located approximately 5 km southeast of the community of Fox Lake and is 120 hectares in size. Winds are variable however the most active part of the fire is growing in a south direction. Firefighters, heavy equipment, along with air support from airtankers and helicopters with a water buckets have responded to this fire.


Fire number, HWF088, is classified as Out of Control (OC) and is located 10 km northwest of Hutch Lake. This fire is approximately 150 hectares in size.  The fire saw minimal growth, as airtankers were able to support firefighters on the ground. Heavy equipment is also working to establish a fire guard around the fire perimeter. 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. Alberta Transportation is on site monitoring smoke concerns on the highway. There are 25 firefighters, two helicopters and airtankers working on this fire.

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.


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CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 20, 2019 AT 1:30 PM

There was little growth on the wildfire over night. Operations continue on the entire wildfire, as outlined in the last update. More detail on the active part of the fire is below.
Last night we received zero rain on the east side and negligible amounts on the rest of the wildfire.  Winds were steady overnight but did not move the fire very much.


The forecast for today is for a high of 20 degrees, 35-40% humidity, and winds N/NW 25-30 with gusts to 50 km/hr. The offsetting factor is that variable clouds are expected to shade the fire and suppress fire activity. If the sun shines and winds gust to 50 km/hr the fire will travel however if the cloud remains in place, we will have a good firefighting day.

  • Crews continue to work on the .5 hectare spot fire on the east side of the Peace River.  This spot has not grown since it was originally contained on June 18. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets initially worked this fire which is now being worked on by ground crews to extinguish all hotspots, flare ups and to remove potential for it to spread under windy conditions.  Heavy equipment put a guard in place across the narrow part of the oxbow, which we may use for ignition in the future.
  • Today structure protection efforts continue in the Blue Hills area and heavy equipment continues to work on line for a potential ignition for the area south of Devil Lake.
  • In addition to the work continuing on the rest of the wildfire, crews will be working on hotspots and flare ups along Highway 58 that are causing smoke issues on the road.
  • The fire is now 330,127 hectares.
  • There are 851 firefighters and personnel, 46 helicopters, 153 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.

THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE | JUNE 20, 2019 11:00 AM

Heavy equipment and firefighters have established a fireguard on the southeast side of the fire as well as the west side of the Hay River on the north part of the fire.  Air support continues to support firefighters by working to prevent the fire from reaching Highway 35, and with current conditions they continue to be effective. Firefighters are working on extinguishing hotspots on the west side of the fire in priority areas. The fire continues to hold in the southwest and 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 approximately 11 km from the Northwest Territories border.
  • The weather forecast for today is calling for northwest winds therefore, the fire is expected to grow in an east to southeast direction. Indian cabins has not been impacted at this time and structure protection has been established.
  • There are 137 firefighters and personnel, 23 heavy equipment pieces and 14 helicopters working on this fire.

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ALERTS AND EVACUATIONS | BE PREPARED, STAY INFORMED


TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL

For information regarding evacuations or alerts, 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

Mackenzie County residents looking for information regarding evacuations and alerts please visit the Mackenzie County Facebook page.


ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION

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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FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION REMAIN IN EFFECT

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.


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Victoria Ostendorf | Wildfire Information Officer | High Level Forest Area

Mobile: 780-841-9387 

1-866-FYI-FIRE

victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca

Leslie Lozinski | Wildfire Information Officer | Chuckegg Creek Wildfire

Phone: 780-653-0151 ext. 1052

1-866-FYI-FIRE

leslie.lozinski@gov.ab.ca

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