High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Wildfire Update | June 26, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

Posted on Wed, Jun 26, 2019

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The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction have been lifted and a Fire Advisory has been put in place. Use caution in the forested areas and report new wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).

Newfoundland crew Jackpot

(Firefighters from Newfoundland working on the Jackpot Creek fire, June 26, 2019)

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 26, 2019 AT 7:30 PM

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 the Chuckegg Creek and the Jackpot Creek fires please see below for more info.) 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. Heavy equipment continues to establish a fireguard around the fire perimeter. There are 41 firefighters, 6 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.

***The next update will be at 11:00 a.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.


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CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 26, 2019 AT 7:30 PM

This afternoon due to warmer temperatures the fire behaviour increased on the Chuckegg Creek wildfire resulting in smoke visible from surrounding communities. Although the current conditions resulted in increased fire behaviour there was no growth reported.

On the east side, due to increased fire behaviour, there was a lot smoke present but helicopters were able to work all day dropping retardant and water on the eastern perimeter east of the Peace River and north/north west of Moose Island.  They also successfully targeted other areas that threatened to breach the current fire perimeter.  Heavy equipment made progress building guard from the Peace River towards the Boyer River Cell Tower close to the fire perimeter, and progress was also made opening the contingency guard south of Devil and Surette Lakes. The equipment operators are working 24 hours a day on the contingency guard.  An additional dozer guard will be going in on the west side of the Peace River, northwest of Moose Island. Today, firefighters continued with mopping-up 100 feet into the fire and extinguishing hotspots. 

On the southwest side and moving north, crews continued to build dozer guard and firefighters followed by laying hose and mopping-up to reinforce the guard. Firefighters also worked to mop-up and patrol the Paddle Prairie area. On the west side, firefighters made progress extinguishing hotspots.  Smoke was visible in the southwest and west sides of the wildfire.

On the north end of the wildfire, firefighters continued to make progress extinguishing hotspots.  The fire behaviour was not as active in this area compared to other areas of the wildfire.

Fire department resources in conjunction with wildland firefighters have made progress extinguishing hotspots along Highway 58. Structure protection remains in place as a precautionary measure, in the Blue Hills and La Crete area.

  • The fire is 331,972 hectares in size. 
  • There are 1,193 firefighters and personnel, 46 helicopters and 338 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.

THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 26, 2019 AT 7:30 PM

The Jackpot Creek Fire was a bit more active today due to warmer, drier weather. Helicopters completed scans early in the day which showed that the higher temperatures and lower relative humidity levels had produced some new 'smokes' or hotspots. Firefighters were deployed to various locations along the East and West sides of Highway 35 to work on hotspots and flare ups. Chainsaw crews cleared areas for helicopters to complete bucketing runs, dropping water on designated areas.

The forecast for Thursday is trending back towards more cool and moist weather which will again aid firefighters as they continue their push back in from the fire’s perimeter. 

  • The fire is 79,834 hectares in size.
  • There are 189 firefighters and personnel,  22 helicopters and 5 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.

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FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR THE HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA

The Fire Ban and the Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction for the High Level Forest Area has been lifted effective June 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. and a Fire Advisory has been put in place, due to a high hazard and local fire activity.

  • Safe Campfires are currently allowed, but may be restricted in the coming days if weather conditions change.
  • Current seasonal permits issued until October 31, 2019 are permitted.
  • New permits will only be issued for smudges, burn barrels and light debris yard clean up.

To get a fire permit please call 780-926-5407 and leave a detailed message with your home location, burn location and what you plan to burn. A patrolman will collect your info and call you to set up a visit.

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


ALERTS AND EVACUATIONS | BE PREPARED, STAY INFORMED


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.


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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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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