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 | JULY 1, 2019 AT 11:00 A.M.
There are currently 6 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires, 2 are Out of Control (OC), 1 is Being Held (BH) and 3 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 7:00 p.m., 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 | JULY 1, 2019 AT 11:00 A.M.
Last night the wildfire did not receive the amount of rain that was forecasted. Today, temperatures are expected below seasonal with a high around 13 to 15°C with minimum relative humidity values of 60%. The winds will be out of the north-west 30km/hr with gusts up to 60km/hr. Widespread showers are forecasted for today without a lot of accumulation. The fire behaviour is expected to be low again for today.
The area of the Chuckegg Creek wildfire is estimated at 331,167ha, and approximately 60% of the wildfire is considered to be in the being held stage of control. This status indicates that, with the resources currently committed to the fire, sufficient suppression action has been taken that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions. This includes the north, west, and south sides. It also includes the north east and south east sides.
The northern end of the wildfire is fully guarded and mop-up is complete. This area was scanned and firefighters will seek identified 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, mop-up is almost complete and it is expected to continue for an additional day. There is one small section in the southern end on the west side where heavy equipment is working to put in a second guard to further secure the area.
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. Feller bunchers are continuing 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 water delivery 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 west side of the spot fire (from June 17th) located south of Surette Lake and just north of the Peace River.
The existing structure protection remains in place as a precautionary measure and are being monitored. Considerations are being made to remove these units when it is safe to do so.
- The fire remains 331,167 hectares in size.
- There are 1,063 firefighters and personnel, 45 helicopters and 142 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.
JACKPOT CREEK WILDFIRE UPDATE | JULY 1, 2019 AT 11:00 A.M.
Yesterday’s arctic low is carrying over into today bringing cool, wet weather to the Jackpot Creek fire area. The forecast for today is calling for a maximum temperature of 12°, relative humidity of 60% and winds out of the Northwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h. Although the temperature and relative humidity are a benefit to firefighters as they continue to work the fire, high winds are very hazardous in burnt over areas in the form of ‘danger trees’. Safety is stressed to all personnel to remain situationally alert for fire compromised trees while performing their duties.
The majority of the focus for crews on the Jackpot Creek fire is on the East side of Highway 35. Crews, heavy equipment and bucketing helicopters continue working on hot spots and flare ups on the West flank while the focus on the East flank is more towards hot spots and mop up.
- The fire is 79,834 hectares in size.
- There are 277 firefighters and personnel, 12 helicopters and 5 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.
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 (JULY 1)
There are currently 18 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area: 2 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 681 wildfires that have burned 804,985.40 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.
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