High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Wildfire Update | June 22, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Posted on Sat, Jun 22, 2019

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The Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek Wildfires remain Out of Control. Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction continues due to the area receiving only scattered showers. Report new wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

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HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 22, 2019 AT 11:00 AM

There are 7 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires; 2 are Out of Control (OC), 2 are Being Held (BH) and 3 are Under Control (UC). (For info regarding Chuckegg Creek and the Jackpot Creek fires 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, HWF091, is classified as Being Held (BH) and is located approximately 5 km southeast of the community of Fox Lake at 196 hectares in size. There are 28 firefighters, with 3 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.
  • Fire number, HWF088, is classified as Being Held (BH) and is located 10 km northwest of Hutch Lake. This fire is 216 hectares in size. The fire saw minimal growth yesterday due to the cooler temperatures and the fire receiving some rain. Heavy equipment continues to establish a fireguard around the fire perimeter. There are 33 firefighters, 3 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.

***The next update will be at 8 p.m., or if conditions change.

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.

WEATHER

The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 21 degrees, humidity at 30-35%, winds E/SE 10-15 and a chance of thundershowers. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday all have rain in the forecast.


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CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 22, 2019 AT 11:00 AM

There was very little change on the wildfire overnight.  There is a two hectare fire on the island in the Peace River and the spot fire on the east side of the river is five hectares.  The spot fire has not grown for a couple of days as crews are concentrating on extinguishing this area.

Since noon yesterday the base camp south of High Level received 4 mm of rain, Thompkins Landing received 10.5 mm, Rocky Lane received 6 mm, Watt Mountain received no rain and the west side of the fire also did not receive any rain.  As you can see, the rain is scattered.  This precipitation and the increased humidity means firefighters will have a good day cutting guard with heavy equipment for direct attack on the north part of the fire east of Highway 35.  We are still aggressively working on the fire, in a methodical way, extinguishing hotspots inward from the outside perimeter.  Structure protection is largely complete and crews are pursuing secondary assessment and patrolling.  RCMP continue to patrol in evacuated areas and manage traffic access.

The forecast for today is for temperatures in the low 20s, no further precipitation, and winds E/SE at 10-15 km/hr. More rain and cloud cover is in the forecast for Monday.  Under these conditions we do not expect the fire to grow.

  • The fire is 331, 946 hectares in size. 
  • There are 1, 150 firefighters and personnel, 311 pieces of heavy equipment and 46 helicopters working on this fire.

THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 21, 2019 AT 11:00 AM

The fire received approximately 2-4 mm of rain yesterday, and minimal growth has been reported. The rain in combination with the cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped firefighters to continue to make great progress on the fire in all priority areas. Heavy equipment has completed a fireguard in priority areas as well. 

  • There are 212 firefighters and personnel, 20 pieces of heavy equipment and 26 helicopters working on this fire.
  • The fire is 77, 468 hectares in size.

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ALERTS AND EVACUATIONS | BE PREPARED, STAY INFORMED


MACKENZIE COUNTY

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

TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL

For information regarding evacuations or alerts, please visit the Town of High Level 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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