WILDFIRE UPDATE

There have been 68 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 (l-r) active fire behaviour later afternoon while back at camp crews arriving at the fire receive their orientation brief prior to departing for the fireline. 

• 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 contributed to growth along the northeast and western sides of the fire today.
  • The fire is currently burning westward on both sides of the Chin Road; it remains closed to traffic.
  • The fire remains south of the river but continues to spread in a westerly direction.
  • On the northeast flank the fire burned in a northwest direction widening the finger that emerged yesterday.
  • The southeast and southern edges of the fire were holding as of 1800 hours.
  • Crews, supported by helicopters with buckets, worked diligently with pump and hose to keep the area contained. Airtankers worked priority areas across the fire.
  • Dozer crews made solid progress today building a fire break along the eastern edge of the fire.
  • Sustained winds postponed planned back burns on the fire; crews will re-attempt their back burn activity tomorrow should conditions improve.
  • The weather forecast has changed slightly with temperatures expected to reach 24 degrees Celsius with 20 per cent humidity and slightly calmer winds out of east/northeast at 10-15 kilometers per hour (kph).
  • These lighter winds means the rate of spread will decrease to about 1 kph in forested areas and 2.5 kph in grassy areas.
  • Aggressive fire behaviour is expected again tomorrow with potential for further growth on the fire.
  • Lightening forecast for Thursday looks as if it might slip past the fire to the south which is good news for the more than 250 firefighters, 21 helicopters, 2 Convair airtankers and bird dog aircraft, 4 802 Air Tractors and their bird dog aircraft, 8 dozer groups 3 water trucks, 5 Nodwells, 2 Hagglunds and other heavy equipment already assigned to this fire.
  • Winds are not expected to shift to the west now until Sunday. 
• PWF 054 remains being held at 74 hectares in size in the Battle River area.  This fire is on patrol status.

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. 

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.