Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek Wildfires Remain Out of Control.
Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction Continues.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE UPDATE | JUNE 5, 2019 AT 10:30 a.m.
There are 3 active wildfires in the High Level Forest Area - Two are Out of Control (OC) and the other is Being Held (BH).
- The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire (HWF-042) remains Out of Control (OC) at 275, 985 hectares.
- The Jackpot Creek Wildfire (HWF-066) around Steen River remains Out of Control (OC) at 28, 000 hectares.
Click here for a map of all fire locations and statuses within the High Level Forest Area.
Firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are positioned throughout the High Level Forest Area to respond to any new wildfire starts.
FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION REMAIN IN EFFECT
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.
THE CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE | JUNE 05, 2019 AT 10:30 A.M.
Recent scattered rain showers and cooler temperatures have helped decrease fire activity. This in result is continuing to help firefighters, heavy equipment, and aircraft to establish containment in priority areas.
Structural and wildland firefighters continue to work around Paddle Prairie to protect values, and have worked with heavy equipment to place extensive fireguards. Firefighters are consolidating containment to the south of the fire. On the east side of the Peace River by Tompkins Landing, fireguard lines have been completed from the agricultural land to the Peace River with structural and wildland firefighters extinguishing hot spots along the fire perimeter to limit spread. Airtankers and bucketing helicopters continue to assist firefighters on the ground as possible.
- The last recorded size is approximately 275, 985 hectares. There has been no change in fire size over the past few days.
- Firefighters continue to consolidate containment along Highways 35 and 58, and north of highway 58 west of High Level.
- Heavy equipment is constructing fireguard from the Boyer River to the Peace River to limit fire spread to the east.
- Structural protection has been completed, south of the fire by Paddle Prairie, in Keg River and to the east of the Peace River.
- Alberta Wildfire has 539 firefighters, along with 76 structural firefighters. There are 41 helicopters and 135 pieces of heavy equipment.
- Atco is continues to repair power poles along highway 35 south of High Level. Atco has restored power supply and is supporting normal operations to the Town of High Level, La Crete, Fort Vermilion & Dene Tha’ First Nation. Atco has secured large-scale backup generators that can be drawn on to provide power to communities, if needed.
The next update will be at 08:00 P.M., or if conditions change.
THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE | JUNE 5, 2019 at 10:30 A.M.
Continued unsettled weather including scattered precipitation and low temperatures yesterday allowed firefighters to make good progress on control lines in both the southern and western sections of the fire. Excellent progress was also made in the northern section of the fire where hot spots are being targeted to ensure smoke does not impede travel on highway 35.
Today, some crews will be completing their current assignments in both the south of highway 35 and some areas off of Bearspaw Road. Those firefighters will be moving to more active areas of the fire where helipads have been constructed so they can target new hotspots along the fire’s perimeter. Helicopter bucketing will also be focused in priority areas in both the west and south sections of the fire.
Today, temperatures will reach only 10 degrees with winds coming out of the northwest at 15 to 20km/h. Relative humidity levels will be around 50-55% and some scattered precipitation is in the forecast.
- The last updated size of the fire is approximately 28,000 hectares.
- There are 91 firefighters assigned to the fire, as well as 9 helicopters.
TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL | UPDATE
As of June 3, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., the mandatory evacuation order for the Town of High Level was lifted. An evacuation alert will be put in place immediately. For more information please continue to monitor the Town of High Level Website at www.highlevel.ca, call 780-926-2201 (Monitored from 8am-10pm) or visit Alberta Emergency Alert for more updates.
MACKENZIE COUNTY | UPDATE
The mandatory evacuation for all residents located west of Range Road 185, north and south of Highway 697 and La Crete Ferry Campground remains in effect.
The eight-hour evacuation alert has been lifted for most of Mackenzie County. An eight-hour evacuation alert remains in effect for the Town of High Level and the Dene Tha’ First Nation community of Bushe River. Parts of Mackenzie County immediately north and south of High Level will also remain under eight-hour evacuation alert, along with a portion of the Blue Hills/Tompkins area.
In areas still under eight-hour evacuation alert, this means residents should ensure they have a full tank of gas and supplies to last two to three days in case a mandatory evacuation becomes necessary. The Mackenzie County Incident Command Centre is open at the Fort Vermilion County office (4511-46 Avenue) or call (780)927-3718 during regular office hours (8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
For all public notifications, please follow the Mackenzie County Facebook page.
NORTHERN LIGHTS COUNTY | UPDATE
The County of Northern Lights has rescinded the evacuation order as of 10:00 a.m. on June 5th for Keg River and Carcajou residents, though an evacuation alert remains in place. For more information and updates on their status, download the Alberta Emergency Alert app, listen to the local radio station or visit the County of Northern Lights website: www.countyofnorthernlights.com or the County’s facebook page www.facebook.com/countyofnorthernlights.
PADDLE PRAIRIE METIS SETTLEMENT | UPDATE
Paddle Prairie has an evacuation order in place. Evacuees should register at the reception centre located at the Grande Prairie Regional College. The reception centre phone number is 780-567-5587. For information on the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement evacuation, please visit their Facebook page.
ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION
Alberta Transportation has closed Highway 35 south of High Level and highway 697 east of Highway 35 to the La Crete Ferry. The La Crete Ferry is also closed. Highway 58 west of High Level has been reopened as well as highway 35 north of High Level. 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 is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility. Winds will continue to shift bringing smoky conditions. Issued by Environment Canada, Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services.
Victoria Ostendorf
Wildfire Information Officer
Chuckegg Creek Fire
Mobile: 780-841-9387
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