Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek Wildfires Remain Out of Control.
Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction Continues. The fire danger remains Extreme as the area needs a significant rainfall for the danger to be reduced.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE UPDATE | JUNE 6, 2019 AT 11:00 A.M.
There are 3 active wildfires in the High Level Forest Area - Two are Out of Control (OC) and the other is Under Control (UC).
- 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, 100 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. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE.
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 6, 2019 AT 11:00 A.M.
Cooler temperatures and varied amounts of rain over the fire have resulted in a decrease in fire activity. However, with the return of warmer weather there is a potential for fire activity to increase.
The decrease in fire activity has continued 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 extinguish hotspots, while heavy equipment works hard to place extensive fireguards.
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 790 wildland firefighters and support staff, 31 helicopters and 135 pieces of heavy equipment fighting this wildfire.
- 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 7:30 P.M., or if conditions change.
THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE | JUNE 6, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.
Yesterday was another productive day on the fireline as the decrease in fire activity has allowed firefighters to access the fire perimeter safely. The fire has seen a decrease in fire activy due to continued cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Which allowed firefighters to make excellent progress in priority sections of the fire. Firefighters finished up their assignments in easily accessible areas on both the western and southern section of the fire. They will now focus their efforts in areas where new helipads have been established where access was more difficult.
Results from a recent infrared scan will highlight hot spots near the perimeter in priority areas. Firefighters will be targeting these areas over the next few days. Helicopter bucketing will also be utilized in priority sections of the fire.
Yesterday the fire did receive trace amounts of precipitation, although it was scattered and light in nature. Today, temperatures will reach 12 degrees with a relative humidity of 45%, wind will be 20-25km/h and out of the north and northeast. Scattered, isolated showers are forecasted, although precipitation amounts are expected to be minimal.
- The latest updated size is approximately 28,100 hectares.
- There are 91 firefighters assigned to this incident 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 and an evacuation alert was 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. However, 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. 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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