WILDFIRE UPDATE

There have been 60 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of those below:

WILDFIRES OF NOTE:

Battle Complex (Notikewin and Battle River wildfires):

PWF 052 earlier this afternoon.

We are experiencing extreme wildfire weather.  For the next several days the temperature is going to be equal to or greater than the humidity levels and the winds are going to be strong and gusty.  The forest area is extremely dry.   

The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 21 degrees, humidity of 20%, and SE winds at 15-20 km gusting 40-45 km/hr.  There is no precipitation in sight.  Similar conditions are expected for Sunday and Monday.

• PWF 052 is out of control in the Notikewin Area. An accurate size is not available due to smoke conditions and extreme fire behavior this afternoon.
  • This fire is located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the town of Manning.  Strong and gusty winds accelerated fire behavior this afternoon, causing the fire to jump the guard on the north side.  The fire is burning in a northwest direction.  Crews, airtankers and helicopters with buckets worked all day.  Late this afternoon, under very windy conditions, crews had to be pulled back to safety positions. Gusty winds continued to challenge firefighting efforts until evening.
  • Camps and facilities are being evacuated along the Chin Road.  This road will be closed to westbound traffic tomorrow.  Smoke could make travel unsafe in this area.
  • Crews will attack this fire again early tomorrow morning.  Most crews will focus on securing the east flank of the fire, where it is safe to work.  The intent is to focus on the east side of the fire, strengthening guard and extinguishing hot spots in anticipation of the return of westerly winds. When the wind shifts to westerly, we want the guard to be substantial enough to prevent fire from spotting outside the perimeter of the current burn area and threatening communities to the east and southeast.
  • As it is safe to do so tomorrow, before the winds pick up, aerial crews will work near the head of the fire.
• PWF 054 remains being held at 74 hectares in size in the Battle River area.  Smoke was visible from burning trees within the fire perimeter this afternoon.   This fire is surrounded by dozer guard. Crews will work tomorrow with pumps and hoses, moving inward from the perimeter to make sure all hotspots are extinguished. We don't want any embers left that could be carried by the wind and start another wildfire. 

Today we had 209 firefighters, five airtankers and two bird dogs, 10 helicopters, one dozer unit, various pieces of heavy equipment, and other support personnel working on the Battle Complex.

Battle Complex Map 

For updates on efforts being taken by municipal fire fighters to provide structural protection and emergency preparedness information, please visit the County of Northern Lights website.

 OTHER WILDFIRES IN THE AREA:

• PWF 043 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.50 hectares.
• PWF 047 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.01 hectares.
• PWF 058 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.01 hectares.
• PWF 062 is under control at just under two hectares.
• PWF 064 has just been reported and is .01 hectares.

For your safety and the safety of the numerous firefighters working to contain these wildfires, please stay out of the area if you do not need to be there.

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.

FIRE PERMITS SUSPENDED

 Fire permits have been suspended, effective 1800 hours, May 16.