High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Wildfire Update | June 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Posted on Mon, Jun 24, 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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(Fire activity on the Chuckegg Creek fire, taken June 23, 2019)

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 24, 2019 AT 11:00 AM

There are 5 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires; 2 are Out of Control (OC), 2 are Being Held (BH) and 1 is 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 27 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. Heavy equipment continues to establish a fireguard around the fire perimeter. There are 31 firefighters, 5 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 today is calling for a high of 19 degrees, with humidity of 55-60%, winds N/NE 10-15 km/hr and a 70% chance of thundershowers.

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CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 24, 2019 AT 11:00 AM

The continued weather trend of cooler temperatures and scattered showers has reduced the current fire behaviour and has aided firefighting efforts. Despite this shift in weather, the forest fuels can dry out quickly. Today’s forecast is a high of 19°C, with a relative humidity of 55-60% and wind will be from the N-NE 10-15 km/hr. There is 70% chance of precipitation today with the possibility of 5 to 10mm.

As weather conditions are only one factor in containing this wildfire, on-the- ground crews and helicopter bucketing operations continue to work and make progress. There are over 1000 firefighters and personnel working on this wildfire, and in the next few days over 370 firefighters will be arriving from different provinces and countries to relieve some of the current firefighters and will continue with suppression efforts.

Today, crews will continue to build dozer guard north of eastern side of the fire between Highway 35 and the Peace River. Firefighters will lay hose along this guard to reinforce the area.  Firefighters and helicopters will also be working to extinguish hotspots. 

At the north end of this wildfire, firefighters will be working to extinguish hotspots along Highway 58, and if driving in this area please be cognizant of firefighters and conditions. In other areas, crews continue with mop-up, patrol, and extinguishment of hotspots. This direct attack method may include remove burning material along or near the control line (guards). It makes these areas safe and reduces smoke. 

There is still an active wildfire with smoke but with the current conditions the fire behaviour is expected to be low resulting in minimal growth. The current size of this wildfire is approximately 331,946 hectares, and the change in size is due to more accurate mapping. At this time, structure protection remains in place and maintained.

  • The fire is 331,760 hectares in size. 
  • There are 1,053 firefighters and personnel, 311 pieces of heavy equipment and 46 helicopters working on this fire.

THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 24, 2019 AT 11:00 AM

Due to current weather conditions, suppression efforts over the weekend on the Jackpot Creek Fire saw some very encouraging results. Crews were able to suppress some perimeter lines and then push inward extinguishing hotspots and dealing with flare-ups and deeper burns.

Crews and helicopters are continuing with ground work and bucketing today. Weather indicators show a continuing trend of below average temperatures, light precipitation and relatively high humidity which will aid firefighter’s in their suppression efforts. Crew transitions are on-going as some firefighters finish their tour and other new crews are welcomed in. The Jackpot Creek Fire’s current staffing complement consists of personnel from Alberta, Newfoundland (arriving today), Ontario, Saskatchewan and the United States.

  • The fire is 77,468 hectares in size.
  • There are 194 firefighters and personnel, 5 pieces of heavy equipment and 25 helicopters working on this fire.

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 no significant rainfall. 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

Rosalie MacAulay | Wildfire Information Officer | Chuckegg Creek Wildfire

Phone: 780-653-0151 ext. 1052

1-866-FYI-FIRE

Rosalie.MacAulay@gov.bc.ca

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