High Level Area Update

High Level Wildfire Update May 22, 2019

Posted on Wed, May 22, 2019

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The wildfire danger for the High Level Forest Area has climbed to Extreme. Due to warmer temperatures, gusty winds and no significant rainfall in the forecast. A Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction is now in effect. Please use caution in the forested areas. To report a wildfire please call 310-FIRE. 

 

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(Smoke column can be seen from the Town of High Level, the evening of May 21, 2019)

WILDFIRE UPDATE | MAY 22, 2019 AT 12:00 PM

THE CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE (FIRE NUMBER, HWF042, SOUTHWEST OF HIGH LEVEL)

  • The Chuckegg Creek Fire remains approximately 3 km southwest of the Town of High Level and is classified as Out of Control (OC). Due to current conditions and resources the fire has not reached the Town of High Level. The main area of spread remains away from town.
  • The High Level Fire Department and other municipal firefighters have completed structure protection on the southwest side of town and is being established on the northwest side of the town. In addition, structural protection has been established on Mackenzie County homes southeast of High Level, Tolko and Norbord.
  • Structural firefighters have also been taking preventive measures on homes. This includes removing debris from yards, removing patio furniture from decks and other flammable material.
  • Alberta Wildfire firefighters along with air support from helicopters and air tankers have been focusing efforts south of High Level, on the east side of highway 35 as well as on the northeast side of the fire and continue to be effective, due to lighter winds out of the northeast. This in result aided crews on protecting power line poles west and south of the Town of High Level.
  • Fire activity and smoky conditions make it challenging for firefighters to get an accurate map of the fire perimeter. When this issue arises Alberta Wildfire uses aircraft to do a high-level aerial scan at night. Data from the scan will be collected in the morning and new size will be determined. The last recorded size is approximately 92, 000 hectares.
  • Heavy equipment has been working along the northeast side of the fire and continue to make progress on consolidating a guard around the fire perimeter.
  • There are 110 structural firefighters that continue to establish and maintain structural protection on homes in the Town of High Level and on other critical values at risk within Mackenzie County. Alberta Wildfire has 76, firefighters along with 24 helicopters on this fire. There are more resources arriving daily.

Atco has temporary power has been restored to Mackenzie County, Town of High Level, La Crete, Fort Vermilion & Dene Tha’ First Nation. The goal is to restore permanent reliable service as quickly & safely as possible. Power may be intermittent at this time.

The next update will be tonight at 7:30 PM, or if conditions change.

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Public map May 21

Town of High Level | Update 

The Town of High Level has issued an Evacuation Order for the town as of May 20, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. For more info please continue to monitor the Town of High Level Website at www.highlevel.ca  call 780-926-2201 or visit Alberta Emergency Alert for more updates.

Attention High Level evacuees, if you have not registered please do so at one of the following Evacuation Centres:

Slave Lake Legacy Centre
400 6 Ave NE
Slave Lake, AB
Phone: 780-843-5651.

Directions: Take Highway 88 south to Slave Lake, turn right on to Caribou Trail NW, follow Caribou Trail to 6 Ave NE, turn left and follow 6 Ave NE to the Wildfire Legacy Centre.

High Prairie Sports Palace
5409-49 Street,
High Prairie, AB T0G 1E0

Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC)
10726-106 Ave (Signage is posted)
Grande Prairie, AB

Misery Mountain Ski Resort
10408-89 Street
Peace River
780-624-4881 

If you have not already register and are unable to register at one of the above locations, please call 780-502-0778

For general inquires please contact 780-926-2201. (Available from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

Mackenzie County | Update

A mandatory evacuation has been issued for residents south and southeast of the Town of High Level at 11:40 a.m. on May 20, 2019 due to the wildfire threat in the area and limited access to the area.

Reception centres have been set up for evacuees at the La Crete Heritage Centre located at 15411- TWP RD 1060 South of La Crete. To register please call into the reception centre to register at 780-928-4447. There is also an addition reception centre in Fort Vermilion at the community cultural complex 5001 44th Ave. Fort Vermilion. The phone number for Fort Vermilion reception centre is 780-927-4222.

Alberta Transportation

Alberta Transportation has closed highway 35 south of High Level as well as highway 58 west, due to the Chuckegg Creek Wildfire (HWF042). To stay informed on all road closure info visit the Alberta Transportation website or download the mobile app.

Smoke Issues

Smoke from the Chuckegg Creek wildfire is affecting far distances in our area. Including; Rainbow Lake, Fort Vermilion and La Crete. If you are experiencing health related smoke issues please contact your doctor or Alberta Health Services.

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE UPDATE 

There are four active wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires; 1 is classified as Out of Control (OC) and three are classified as Under Control (UC). To see a map of all fire locations and statuses within the High Level Forest Area please click here.

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FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

As of 6:00 p.m. on May 16, 2019, a Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction is in effect for the High Level Forest Area. Due to warmer temperatures, gusty winds and no significant rain in the forecast. The ban and restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued.

Prohibited

  • All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.
  • Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
  • Fireworks and exploding targets.
  • The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands.

Allowed

  • Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
  • Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.
  • Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.

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


ALBERTA FIRE BANS NEW MOBILE APP

Download the new Alberta fire ban app, available for Android and Apple devices, to make planning your next outdoor adventure a breeze!

Features include:

  • Push notification settings for specific geographic areas.
  • Three distinct categories - fire bans, restrictions and advisories.
  • Up-to-date data sourced directly from provincial fire authorities.
  • Provides data from last time opened even without data or WiFi.

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Victoria Ostendorf

Wildfire Information Officer

High Level Forest Area

Mobile: 1-866-394-3743

victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca

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