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
The Edson Forest Area has many wildfire firefighters which include overhead support staff and fire crews from around the world. The Deep Creek Complex alone has (left to right) Colorado (U.S.A), Newfoundland, Ontario, Alberta, Victoria Forest Service (Australia), Prince-Edward-Island, British Columbia, New South Wales (Australia) and Colorado (U.S.A) (June 3, 2023).
NEW WILDFIRE DETECTIONS
EWF054 was detected this afternoon. It is located 38 km northwest of Edson, 5 km north of the Emerson road and estimated to be 0.9 ha in size. The incident is classified as under control. Eight firefighters and one helicopter are assigned to the wildfire. This wildfire was determined to be caused by lightning.
Visit our Wildfire Dashboard to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.
Helitack leader Shane and his crew found the lightning struck tree that caused EWF054 yesterday - *Don't try this at home (June 4, 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.
PEMBINA WILDFIRE COMPLEX | EWF031, EWF039, RWF034, RWF040
Today, there are 89 firefighters and incident management team (IMT) support staff being shared between all fires on the Complex. A BC Wildfire Service IMT has assumed command of the complex after a transitioning with the outgoing U.S IMT. There are 85 pieces of heavy equipment, and 24 helicopters assigned to the complex. An airtanker group is available to respond if necessary.
Today, a cold front will approach from the northwest late this evening. There is potential for 3-6 millimeters of rain by early Monday and a ridge will begin to build from the west Monday afternoon. Tomorrow, winds will shift to light westerly-northwesterly as the cold front crosses the area of the complex.
EWF031 was detected on May 4 and is located 25 km west of Lodgepole, 20 km northwest of Brazeau Dam and 14 km southeast of Edson. The fire is classified as out of control and is estimated to be 130,762 ha in size. This number changed due to more accurate mapping with an infrared scan conducted the past few days in addition to increased fire behavior. There was minimal fire growth today and that was well within fire contingency lines.
Crews and heavy equipment were successful in placing dozer and hand guard around the entire excursion located on the northeast portion of the fire, just west of Rat Creek. The containment line on the perimeter of the excursion is continuing to be secured by heavy equipment and ground crews. Helicopters will continue to support ground crews when needed.
Today, crews are utilizing direct attack on identified hotspots along the perimeter of the east flank, with aviation support when necessary. Personnel will continue to monitor and patrol the fire perimeter.
There is a containment line on the north side of the fire working downwards towards 6 Mile Road as well as a containment line previously completed and located south from Dora’s Corner. Both lines will have continued air support as visibility allows, and it is safe for aviation resources to operate to perform water drops if necessary.
EWF039 located near Carrot Creek, is currently being held. The fire is currently estimated to be 165 ha. The fire is fully wrapped in containment line and is a kilometer away from the Carrot Creek lookout tower. The Lookout staff will keep watch over the area.
RWF034 is located near the O'Chiese Reserve and classified as out of control. The fire is currently estimated at 87,108 ha in size. On the south side of RWF034 along the Brazeau River, dozer guard construction was completed yesterday. Crews are supporting the guard and monitoring conditions working south along the west flank.
RWF040 is actively monitored by firefighters and support staff assigned to the complex who can respond if necessary. The fire is currently estimated to be 5,089 ha in size and remains classified as out of control. Containment line was completed a couple of days ago around the east, south, and west sides of the fire. Crews will continue working from the Blackstone River clockwise around the fire perimeter. Crews are actively supporting the guard with the installation of water systems which includes hose and pumps. An infrared scan completed a few days ago indicated that there were several hotspots within the fire perimeter. Crews are individually checking the hotspots for any potential issues and extinguishing any threats. Some smoke is observed within the fire line which is to be expected with the trend of warming and drying conditions. Past growth occurred mostly to the west.
By: Sarah Hall, Pembina Complex. Wildfire Information Officer, BC Wildfire Service.
DEEP CREEK WILDFIRE COMPLEX | EWF035, WCU001, WCU002
WCU001 was detected on April 29 and remains classified as out of control. The wildfire is estimated to be 6,284 hectares (GIS remapped this fire and there was a minimal increase to the size as a result), no new growth has been recorded outside the fire perimeter. The wildfire zone is located southeast of Entwistle and west over the Pembina River where it spread north and travelled over Highway 16. The wildfire is parallel with Highway 16 and moved further west where it spread just north of Wildwood and now rests at Chip Lake.
WCU002 was detected on the evening of April 29 and is a mutual aid wildfire located on both sides of Highway 22, north of Highway 16. The wildfire’s status remains out of control. It is estimated to be 2,478 hectares (GIS remapped this fire and there was a minimal increase to the size as a result).
Temperatures were well into the upper twenties on today (Sunday). Winds continue to shift from southeasterly/north-easterly to a west-northwesterly direction early this evening as a cold front is sweeping through the area. Wind gusts of 35 km/h are expected this evening which may lead to an increase in the visibility of smoke. Helicopters with water buckets have been seen assisting firefighters with their efforts throughout the afternoon.
There has been no new growth outside of the fire perimeter of either of these wildfires and observed fire behavior continues to be relatively low with some areas generating smoke today in the interior as warmer weather has returned to the area. Firefighters continue to make good progress on containing the wildfire and "mopping up", meaning that they are putting out hotspots.
Work continues to be done north of Wildwood west of highway 22 to flood heavily peated areas. Helicopters are bucketing onto hot spots as needed. A high-volume pump is working alongside heavy equipment near highway 22.
New growth of grasses and vegetation on the site of WCU002 (June 4, 2023).
Smoke may continue to be seen as flare-ups occur on the interior. This is expected to persist in the peat areas where the fire is burning deep, smouldering under the layers of peat and burning roots and other organic matter.
Deep ash pits and burning peat are dangerous. We ask residents to be extra cautious near burnt areas.
We also ask residents to avoid venturing into forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire as they can present other hazards such as falling trees, as a result of root systems being compromised by fire.
EWF035 was detected on May 5. The northern portion of the fire is located 2 km east of Shining Bank Lake, reaching north and east across Township Road 560 and as far south as approximately 2 km north of the Niton Junction railway.
This wildfire is classified as out of control and is estimated to be 19,567 ha (GIS remapped this fire and there was a minimal increase to the size as a result). The wildfire is south of Township Road 570, has burnt down to the south and continues to a site two kilometers north of the railroad track in Niton Junction. The fire moved across the Range Road 123 and burnt up to the Lobstick River.
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).
Excavator working on containment line on the Deep Creek Complex (June 4, 2023).
Some of the hotshot crews from the U.S. continue to work on the east-south-east side of the fire where hotspots were prevalent. They have wrapped up their work around Sunset Lake and have moved further south down the fireline to continue working on fire suppression efforts. Another crew of U.S hotshots has been working on the southwesterly 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.
The perimeter from the northeast of the fire towards the northwest was cool again today with little to no fire activity. Firefighters are confident that the whole north and west boundary of the wildfire, down East Bank Road (Rge Rd 133A) is now contained and expect that the containment line wouldn't be challenged if the winds pushed the wildfire towards that direction again.
A reclamation specialist has begun working on this fire, assessing areas that can be actioned.
Firefighters will have a special focus on safety today as windy conditions have the potential to cause hazards with falling trees, and warm temperatures require consistent hydration while out working on the fireline.
Fire behaviour typically increases during the “peak burning period”. This is normally mid-afternoon, when temperatures are hottest and relative humidity drops. Fire activity tends to slow down in the morning and late evenings when temperatures are cooler and humidity levels are higher.
Monday’s forecast brings cooler temperatures than those of the weekend, with a high of 19 degrees and moderate sustained west-northwest winds of 25-30 km/h, gusting to 45. Minimal precipitation is in the forecast to start the week with Tuesday bringing slightly warmer temperatures with a high of 22. Winds will be southwesterly at 15/20 km/h becoming southeasterly at 15 km/h by mid afternoon. Despite the cooldown, windier conditions have the potential to lead to an increase in fire activity within the interior of these fires.
There are 63 firefighters assigned to the Deep Creek Complex, seven helicopters, 45 pieces of heavy equipment and 36 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, Newfoundland, Australia, British Columbia, the United States and dedicated Alberta Wildfire staff on the Deep Creek Complex. Additional resources are expected to arrive in the coming days.
By: Isabelle Chenard. Wildfire Information Officer, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Contact: 780-728-5843.
WILD HAY WILDFIRE COMPLEX | EWF037 and EWF040
EWF037 continues to be classified as being held at 578 ha and EWF040 is being held at 684 ha. These wildfires are located south of the Little Smoky River, north of the Wild Hay River and east of Hwy 40 north.
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:
- Before you burn it, get your fire permit. Fire permits in Alberta.
- Clear debris from hot spots on your off-highway vehicle.
- Ensure your campfire is out - soak it, stir it, soak it again.
- Before you head out this weekend, check out the albertafirebans.ca website or download the app to stay informed.
- For road closure information, please visit 511.alberta.ca
- For information regarding smoke in the area, you can visit firesmoke.ca
- NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an idea of the location of wildfires in the area, but note that the data is based on interpolation and often can make the wildfire look larger then it actually is.
ALBERTA WILDFIRE INFORMATION
- Subscribe to the Edson Forest Area wildfire update to receive an email when new information is posted.
- Download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple and Android device.
- Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
