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):

 The photos below show the fire burning along Chin Road, and smoke visible on the southwest edge of the fire.

• PWF 052 remains out of control in the Notikewin Area. The fire is about 8600 hectares.
  • This fire is located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the town of Manning.  Extreme dry weather conditions and strong and gusty winds accelerated fire behavior again today.
  • Despite the fire crossing the Chin Road and taking a run to the north yesterday, the fire did not expand as much as it could have under the weather conditions.
  • Dozers worked through the night last night to cut guard in two strategic locations south of the Chin Road, from the edge of the fire to the river.  When conditions are ideal our ignition crews plan to remove fuels from these areas creating a strong fire break to prevent the fire from moving north and crossing the road again, and from moving east towards communities.  Tonight dozer groups will work along the east side; from Chin Road southward and from the south tip of the fire northward to reinforce guard and prevent spread eastward towards communities.  Other dozer groups will work north from Chin Road, strengthening the break along a roadway.  
  • Crews continued to work along the powerline today, and along Chin Road, removing fuels.  Crews also continued to be effective on the south and southeast perimeter of the fire, with pump and hose and supported by helicopters with buckets.
  • Camps and facilities have been evacuated along the Chin Road.  This road is closed to traffic.  Smoke and potential fire crossing could make travel unsafe in this area.
  • Crews will attack this fire again early tomorrow morning.  Most crews will focus on securing the southeast flank of the fire and the south/southwest tip of the fire, where it will be safer to work.  The intent is to continue to focus on the east side of the fire, strengthening guard and extinguishing hot spots to keep burning embers from escaping. 
  • As it is safe to do so tomorrow, before the winds pick up, airtankers and aerial crews will work near the head of the fire and along the east perimeter. 

     

• PWF 054 remains being held at 74 hectares in size in the Battle River area.  Crews completed a grid search for remaining hotspots, burning roots or other signs of smoke or fire.  This fire will be on patrol status starting tomorrow.

Today we had more than 225 firefighters, 21 helicopters, six dozer units, water trucks and other pieces of heavy equipment working on the wildfires.

The forecast for tonight is for a low of 7 degrees, humidity of 45% and SE winds 15-20 Km/hr.  This means there will be some recovery overnight for the fire and we can assume fire behavior will pick up early again tomorrow. 

Tomorrow is a RED FLAG WARNING day.  This means a weather event tomorrow is expected that could pose a critical degree of danger to fireline personnel and the public.  Tomorrow’s deep crossover position (temp higher than humidity) and winds mean fire behavior will be drastically impacted by the weather.  The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 24 degrees, relative humidity of 10%, winds E 20 gusting 35 km/hr.  Under the above conditions, we can expect wildfire to travel 4 km per hour in grass and 1-2 km/hr in trees.  

These weather conditions are expected to continue on Wednesday.  There is a threat of lightning on Thursday and then west winds on the weekend.  

Tomorrow is going to be another significant day for the Battle Complex.  Safety of our firefighters and the public is of paramount importance.  When and if the head of the fire becomes too intense to work on, we will redirect crews and equipment to safer areas, while we continue to work on areas of the fire that need strengthening in anticipation of west winds next weekend.

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 062 is under control at just under two hectares.
• PWF 064 has been turned over to the landowner .01 hectares.
• PWF 066 is under control at just over 10 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.