Please do not report smoke or flame from within an active wildfire area. Firefighters are being diverted from essential tasks when responding to existing fires reported by the public. You may see smoke or flame within the existing boundary of a wildfire, this is normal.
If you see smoke or flame outside of an active fire area, report it to 310-FIRE. If you or your property is in immediate danger, call 911.
Previous Edson Forest Area Updates - Click here
NEW WILDFIRE DETECTIONS
There are currently no new wildfires detected however firefighters are responding to multiple 310-FIRE calls, assessing if any are new wildfires.
Visit our Wildfire Dashboard to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.
PEMBINA WILDFIRE COMPLEX | EWF031, EWF039, RWF034, RWF040
Today on the Pembina Complex, multiple columns are visible from nearby communities and travelers. The reason these columns are visible is because of hot and dry weather in the region is igniting unburned fuels within the fire perimeter. The locations of the increased activity is on the northwest flank for the fire 34 (approximately over 40 kms away from the town of Edson) and the northeast and east of fire 30 (approximately 35 kilometers away from the town of Edson ). Some smoke is also visible near the Moose Creek Road within the fire perimeter. These fuels will continue to burn, and smoke will be highly visible as temperatures increase and relative humidities drop for the next couple of days.
As unburned fuels within the fire perimeter ignite, the fire’s interior naturally cleans itself up, increasing achievable containment by ground crews and further preventing the fire from potential spotting over pre-established fire guards should strong winds come to the area when the forecasted cold front arrives this coming weekend.
Firefighters are conducting controlled burn operations on some of the wildfires in the area. These can include ground and aerial ignition operations. These operations can only occur if the conditions are suitable. Firefighters monitor and evaluate those conditions throughout the day.
The goal of this operation is to remove the available fuel between the fire’s edge and the containment line. This strategy helps to slow down and limit the spread of the wildfire by decreasing the amount of fire perimeter that must be managed by firefighters. In preparation for these operations, fire suppression equipment and firefighters will be in position to extinguish any flame that may be near the containment line.
These ground ignitions and aerial ignitions are taking place at the south boundary of 34, northeast and east of EWF031. All other opportunities to clean up unburned fuels and increase suppression efforts ahead of the forecast cold front expected this Saturday. Unburned fuels are being burned out by ground crews in order to bring the fire’s edge to control lines where crews can effectively work the fire’s edge to improve containment.
New information regarding the Deep Creek Complex will be available this evening. To view previous Edson Forest Area Updates - Click here.
By: Sarah Hall, Pembina Complex. Wildfire Information Officer, BC Wildfire Service.
DEEP CREEK WILDFIRE COMPLEX | EWF035, WCU001, WCU002
Increased fire activity within the interior of the fires of the Deep Creek Complex can be seen this afternoon. Smoke and flames are beginning to be noted by members of the public and reported to Alberta Wildfire. The areas that are showing more fire activity are being actioned by firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters who continue to bucket water onto hotspots. The potential for increased fire behavior will continue to build throughout the week with temperatures forecasted to reach the high 20’s by Friday, with a possibility of reaching the 30 degree mark by Saturday. There is no precipitation in the forecast for the next few days. Southeasterly winds are forecasted to be light today.
Work continues to be done north of Wildwood west of highway 22 to flood heavily peated areas. High-volume pump now set up at the Cattle Farm on the west side of highway 22, working to flood peat areas. Firefighters are working in conjunction with the high volume pump using 1.5” hose to nozzle water deep into the peat as they work with handtools, pumps and hose at this location. Firefighters and heavy equipment working near Range Road 91.
Wildland firefighters continue to work with heavy equipment to contain the wildfire on the south and north sections of the fire (the latter closer to Township Road 560 in the interior). South African firefighters have arrived at the Deep Creek Complex. The have received their assignments and are working alongside firefighters from Alberta, BC, Ontario, US and Australia.
Firefighters continue to work on the east-south-east side of the fire where hotspots are prevalent today. Another crew of firefighters continues to work on the southwest side of this fire, continuing to establish containment line along the perimeter. British Columbia crews are working on the southern portion of the interior of the fire, south of Township Road 560 and on the northeastern-most side of the fire. Heavy equipment and firefighters are working in the central portion of he fire south of Township Road 560.
There are 79 firefighters assigned to the Deep Creek Complex, six helicopters, 39 pieces of heavy equipment and 35 overhead staff that are part of the incident management team and crew supervision. An incident management team from Ontario with members from Alberta is working alongside overhead staff and firefighters from Prince Edward Island, Australia, British Columbia, the United States, South Africa and dedicated Alberta Wildfire staff on the Deep Creek Complex.
New information regarding the Deep Creek Complex will be available this evening. To view previous Edson Forest Area Updates - Click here.
By: Isabelle Chenard. Wildfire Information Officer, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Contact: 780-728-5843.
WILD HAY WILDFIRE COMPLEX | EWF037 and EWF040
The Wild Hay Complex is comprised of two wildfires, EWF037 and EWF040. They are both located south of the Little Smoky River, north of the Wild Hay River and east of Hwy 40 north. The complex is 63 km north of Hinton.
EWF040 is now out of control at 684 ha, it escaped its wildfire boundary this afternoon and is burning north of its original burnt area and south of the Berland River. Four firefighters, two medium helicopters and one heavy helicopter is actioning the wildfire.
EWF037 continues to be classified as being held at 578 ha.
Wildfire EWF040 has escaped it's wildfire boundary and is burning towards the Berland River on the Wild Hay Complex located 63 km north of Hinton (June 7, 2023).
GENERAL INFORMATION ON WILDFIRES IN OUR AREA
AREA CHALLENGES | This has been an unprecedented wildfire season; one that has resulted in many challenges for wildfire staff across the province. In response Alberta has been working with our partners to meet the demands for personnel and equipment needed to fight the numerous wildfires we have seen this spring. In the Edson Forest Area we currently have crews and support staff from all over Canada and the world, including U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, B.C., P.E.I., Newfoundland and Ontario.
WORK OR RECREATE NEAR WILDFIRE AREAS | We urge residents and members of the public to use extra caution near burnt areas. There are many hazards that may not be visible, like deep burning ash pits and falling trees. Burnt trees are a serious hazard, and trees that may look healthy that have green needles or leaves could have burnt out roots under the ground and fall unexpectedly. Keep in mind that trees and powerlines could also fall on the road and block your vehicle. Do not approach powerlines as they could be energized.
SMOKE | Lingering smoke can still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and impacting nearby communities. If you have smoke related health concerns, please contact Alberta 811 or visit Alberta Health Services . Visit firesmoke.ca for current and forecasted smoke.
REPORTING WILDFIRES | We always appreciate people calling in to report wildfires but the large volume of calls we are receiving could be diverting our resources away from other essential tasks. As always, call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported, but assume that large columns of smoke and burned over areas have already been detected and reported. If you or your property are in immediate danger, call 911.
AIRCRAFT NEAR WATER | Depending on the location of a wildfire, firefighting aircraft may need to use water from nearby lakes as a source of water to help fight wildfires. Often, these aircraft arrive without advanced warning. If you are in the water and see an aircraft coming in to collect water, please move within 30 m from the shore so these aircraft can safely resume firefighting efforts. Aircraft are large and require space to collect water, without interference from people and boats. Help us by staying out of the way when aircraft are around. Click here to learn more.
DRONES | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada
WILDFIRE PREPARDNESS | Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire by clicking here.
WILDFIRE INVESTIGATIONS | Wildfires in Alberta are either human-caused or caused by lightning. Every wildfire in Alberta is investigated and the wildfires mentioned remain under investigation.
WILDFIRE CLASSIFICATIONS | To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here.
WILDFIRE MAPS AND BOUNDARIES | Note that wildfire perimeter maps are an estimate based on measurements such as GPS, aerial scanning and satellite imagery. This estimated perimeter can change as more accurate measurements become available. Areas within the fire perimeter may not have been affected by wildfire. Visit our Wildfire Dashboard to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard. Click on "view interactive map". You can choose different basemaps by selecting the four squares icon, or layers by clicking on the three sheets of paper on the top right corner.
**Bold indicates new or important information.
We encourage the public and industry to download the AB Fire Bans app or visit the website to learn more about prohibited and allowed actives under this restriction. If you are looking for information regarding crown land, click on the area you plan to visit and not the nearest town. Be advised that Alberta Parks has it's own set of fire ban levels, please visit their website for more information.
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. To view the Alberta Wildfire Fire Ban video, click here.
Albertans are always asked to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors:
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION
For more information, please contact: