High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Wildfire Update | June 30, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Posted on Sun, Jun 30, 2019

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A Fire Advisory remains in place for the High Level Forest Area. Use caution in the forested areas and report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 30, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M.

There are currently 6 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires, 2 are Out of Control (OC), 2 are Being Held (BH) and 2 are 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 Under Control (UC) 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 warrant.

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 30, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M.

Today was a good day for making progress on the containment of the Chuckegg Creek wildfire. Tomorrow’s forecast is for cooler temperatures, precipitation, and higher relative humidity which will continue to aid fire suppression efforts. The expected high is 13°C with relative humidity of 60%, and winds from the N 20km/hr gusting to 40km/hr. The amount of rain is estimated to be 5 to 10mm.

The northern end of the wildfire is fully guarded and mop-up is complete. Tomorrow morning, this area will be scanned for hot spots and if needed, firefighters will seek hot spots for extinguishment.  This area will be monitored from the air. 

On the west side, the guard is complete and firefighters continued with mop-up south of Highway 58. In the northwest, the majority of firefighters will be reassigned and this area will be in patrol/monitor status.

In the south, firefighters have completed the majority of mop-up and it is expected to continue for an additional day. Once completed, this area will transition into patrol and monitoring status.

On the eastern side, dozer groups continue to build 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, along the fire perimeter, located on the west side of the Peace River, northwest of Moose Island. These guards are expected to be completed in the next few days. Today, feller bunchers started a to build a second guard also located west side of the Peace River, northwest of Moose Island, and it will be a second line of defence for this side of the fire. This guard will be reinforced with sprinkler systems. Firefighters continue to extinguish hotspots, and support the heavy equipment by establishing water delivery, laying hose and mopping-up 100 feet inwards. They are also patrolling the spot fire (from June 17th) located south of Surette Lake and just north of the Peace River.

  • The fire remains 331,167 hectares in size. 
  • There are 1,017 firefighters and personnel, 45 helicopters and 206 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.

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JACKPOT CREEK WILDFIRE UPDATE | JUNE 30, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M.

As anticipated, the forecasted Arctic cold front moved into the Steen River area (Jackpot Creek Fire) mid-afternoon today. The forecast called for 5 to 10 millimeters of rain which will be a tremendous aid to firefighter’s efforts. Crews were able to work on hot spots for a majority of the day, however, before the rain set in. The fire status on both sides of Highway 35 looks very good as crews, aided by the intermittent rains over the last few days, have been able to suppress a good portion of the perimeter. The on-going work is now focused on a few specific hot spots and mop up.  

Crews have secured a majority of the perimeter on the West side of Highway 35 and continue working to secure the entire perimeter. Once secured, they will then push back inwards to mop up any further areas of concern. On the East side of Highway 35, a number of hot spots continue to be worked on by firefighters, heavy equipment and bucketing helicopters.

  • The fire is 79,834 hectares in size.
  • There are 277 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

A Fire Advisory is in effect for the High Level Forest Area due to a high wildfire danger and wildfire activity within the area.

  • 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 including your home address, burn location and what you plan to burn. A patrolman will contact you to arrange a site visit.

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


PROVINCIAL SUMMARY (June 30)

There are currently 19 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area: 3 are Out of Control, 2 are Being Held, 10 are Under Control and 4 have been Turned Over to the responsible parties.

Since March 1, there have been 677 wildfires that have burned 804,985.29 hectares in the Forest Protection Area.


ALERTS AND EVACUATIONS | 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.


PUBLIC SAFETY - WILDFIRE OPERATIONS

During an active wildfire, the highest priority is the safety of the public and wildfire personnel. Please refrain from entering areas of active wildfire suppression. If you encounter aircraft or helicopter bucketing operations on a water body please move your boat to shore.   

The airspace around a wildfire is restricted via NOTAM in a radius of 9 kilometres to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level. It is illegal to operate any aircraft not associated with wildfire suppression within the restricted area, including drones. Do not fly drones or UAVs near or within the perimeter of an active wildfire. When a drone is near a wildfire it endangers firefighting personnel and important aerial firefighting operations will be grounded.  Those caught in violation can be subject to an automatic court appearance and a fine of up to $100,000. 

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Matthew Anderson | Wildfire Information Officer | High Level Forest Area 

1-866-FYI-FIRE

matthew.anderson@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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