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).
(Wildfires are put out by 'boots on the ground' and it sure takes a lot of them when there is a big fire. Pictured above are firefighters from South Africa, receiving a safety briefing before heading out to the fireline.)
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 27, 2019 AT 7:00 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.
CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 27, 2019 AT 7:00 PM
Firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopter bucketing operations have made solid progress on the Chuckegg Creek wildfire. The northern end of the wildfire is fully guarded and mop-up is almost complete. On the west side, mop-up within the perimeter is ongoing from Hwy 58 south to Kindly Pond. From Kindly Pond south, guard construction is continuing with good progress. A portion of unguarded fire perimeter remains along the west flank but dozer groups from the north and south are working hard to close the gap. On the southwest side firefighters continue to mop-up 100 feet inwards, and the south end is guarded with crews that continue patrolling the area.
Similar to yesterday, the fire behaviour increased on the east side and it continues to be the most active part of the fire. All available helicopters worked dropping retardant and water on the eastern perimeter east of the Peace River and north/northwest of Moose Island, and along the fire perimeter south of Surette Lake. Smoke continues to be visible from surrounding communities.
Today, heavy equipment made progress building a guard from Peace River towards the Boyer River Cell Tower and opened up a contingency guard south of Devil and Surette Lakes. The feller bunchers and skidder building the contingency guard will be working 24 hours a day. An additional dozer guard will be going in on the west side of the Peace River, northwest of Moose Island. There is equipment coming from the south and the north.
Structure protection remains in place as a precautionary measure, in the Blue Hills and La Crete area. These structure protection units are being monitored.
- The fire is 330,972 hectares in size.
- There are 1,179 firefighters and personnel, 46 helicopters and 206 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.
THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 27, 2019 AT 7:00 PM
The inclement weather that the Jackpot Creek Fire was experiencing this morning broke mid-morning and firefighters were able to get out to the fire safely. Firefighters focused on the East side of Highway 35, working back from the fire’s perimeter while extinguishing hotspots in all priority areas.
- 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.
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.
Victoria Ostendorf | Wildfire Information Officer | High Level Forest Area
Mobile: 780-841-9387
1-866-FYI-FIRE
Rosalie MacAulay | Wildfire Information Officer | Chuckegg Creek Wildfire
Phone: 780-653-0151 ext. 1052
1-866-FYI-FIRE
RELATED INFORMATION
- Alberta Wildfire Status
- Alberta Fire Bans
- Air Quality Health Index
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation