The Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction are lifted. A Fire Advisory has been put in place for the High Level Forest Area. Use caution in the forested areas and report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
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HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 28, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M.
There are currently 7 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires, 3 are Out of Control (OC), 3 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 25 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 25 firefighters, 6 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.
NOTE: The next update will be by 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, 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 WILDFIRE UPDATE | JUNE 28, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M.
As predicted the fire behaviour did pick up this afternoon on the Chuckegg Creek wildfire and smoke was visible from surrounding communities and roadways. Currently there is active fire behaviour in around the Boyer River Cell Tower. There are helicopter resources working on this area. This evening if conditions permit, firefighters will be conducting ignition operations to remove unburnt fuels. Highway 35 will be closed intermittently due to smoke resulting in limited visibility.
The last few days the eastern side of the Chuckegg Creek has been the most active. Helicopter bucketing operations continued to work east of the Peace River and north/north west of Moose Island, and along the fire perimeter south of Surette Lake. Dozer groups continue to make progress building guard along the fire perimeter from the Peace River towards the Boyer River Cell Tower. Feller bunchers are working 24 hours a day to open a contingency guard south of Devil and Surette Lakes. Heavy equipment is also making progress on the dozer guard going in on the west side of the Peace River, northwest of Moose Island. Approximately 20km of guard has been completed in the above mentioned areas. Firefighters continue to extinguish hotspots, lay hose, establish pumps and mop-up 100 feet inwards. They are also continuing to apply water 100 feet inwards around the spot fire (from June 17th) located south of Surette Lake and just north of the Peace River.
The northern end of the wildfire is fully guarded and mop-up is complete. Firefighters continue to patrol the area. On the west side, mop-up within the perimeter is ongoing from Hwy 58 south to Kindly Pond. From Kindly Pond moving south, guard construction is continuing with good progress. A portion of unguarded fire perimeter remains along the west flank but dozers groups from the north and south are working hard to close the gap. On the southwest side and in the Paddle Prairie area firefighters expect to complete work by the end of the day tomorrow. In the south end of the wildfire crews continue to patrol the area.
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 remains 330,972 hectares in size.
- There are 1,179 firefighters and personnel, 46 helicopters and 206 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.
JACKPOT CREEK WILDFIRE UPDATE | JUNE 28, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M.
The Jackpot Creek Fire has received some warmer, drier weather over the last couple of days which has increased fire behaviour in certain areas. Crews resumed working today in select locations in the Southeast and Southwest corners of the fire as well as along the Northwest flank on the East side of Highway 35.
Crews and heavy equipment are working on the Northwest flank of the fire to the East of Highway 35. With the intensity of the burn in some areas, large sections of burnt and downed trees called ‘Jackpots’ make it difficult for firefighters to suppress fire in these areas. Certain types of heavy equipment such as track hoes are able to move these trees around, making it easier for firefighters to complete their missions.
- 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.
Matthew Anderson | Wildfire Information Officer | High Level Forest Area
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