Fort McMurray Area Update

Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update - July 24, 2019

Posted on Wed, Jul 24, 2019

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Continued warm, dry weather has elevated the wildfire danger in the Fort McMurray area to VERY HIGH, and EXTREME north of Lake Athabasca. A fire advisory is now in effect. Rain is in the forecast for this afternoon and tomorrow.

Recreational users in the Richardson Back-country and public lands around Fort McMurray should take extra caution with OHV use. Safe OHV and campfire use practices should be applied.


Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update

There are currently 15 wildfires burning. Four are out of control, nine are being held and 2 are under control. There are 95 firefighters, 18 helicopters and heavy equipment pre-positioned, and working on these fires today. Since March 1st, there have been 76 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area burning a total of 28,592.19 hectares.

Smoke may drift into the area intermittently. Anyone with health concerns should check with Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24/7 health advice from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map, visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada

Fire Advisory

Due to current conditions and forecasted weather a Fire Advisory is in effect today for the Fort McMurray Forest Area within the Forest Protection Area (FPA). Under this advisory no new fire permits will be issued.

What is allowed:

  • Safe wood campfires in campgrounds, backyards, and random camping areas
  • Charcoal briquettes, portable propane fire pits, gas or propane stoves and barbecues, catalytic or
    infrared-style heaters

Fort Chipewyan Area – MCX-001 and MCX-002

All fires in these two complexes were started by lightning and all are classified as BEING HELD within a containment perimeter.

 

MCX-001 - Old Fort Complex

MWF-051 -  July 17, 5,729 hectares, east across the lake from Fort Chipewyan approximately 44 kilometres

 

MWF-052 - July 17, 1,599 hectares, east across the lake from Fort Chipewyan approximately 144 kilometres

 

MWF-053 - July 17, 4 hectares, east across the lake from Fort Chipewyan approximately 40 kilometres

 

MCX-002 – Bocquene Complex

MWF-054 - July 18, 6,757 hectares - 64 kilometres north of Fort Chipewyan

 

MWF-056 - July 18, 573 hectares, 53 kilometres north of Fort Chipewyan

 

MWF-063 - July 19, 265 hectares, 95 kilometres north Fort Chipewyan

 

MWF-068 - July 19, 2.2 hectares, 113 kilometres north Fort Chipewyan

These fires are monitored daily by wildfire crews for fire behaviour, structure proximity, size and threat. Structural protection is being installed on a priority basis on structures that are close to these fires. Aerial ignition strategies are developed and may be implemented when conditions are favourable to limit the spread of fire, or assist with managing the fire behaviour. There is no threat to the community of Fort Chipewyan at this time.


Edra Complex – MCX-003

All fires in this complex are classified as BEING HELD

MWF-070 – lightning, July 23, 15 hectares, northwest of Fort McMurray 145 kilometres. Resources assigned to this fire are 17 firefighters and 2 helicopters.

MWF-074 – lightning, July 23, 9.6 hectares, northwest of Fort McMurray 125 kilometres

MWF-075 – under investigation, July 23, July 23, 2 hectares, northwest of Fort McMurray 150 kilometres

MWF-076 – under investigation, July 23, 1.6 hectares, northwest of Fort McMurray 161 kilometres

These fires do not threaten any communities, nor are there any values at risk.


MWF-071 – lightning, July 23, BEING HELD, 12.84 hectares, 3.5 kilometres southwest of Fort Fitzgerald. Resources assigned to this fire are 15 firefighters, 2 helicopters, 3 dozers and 1 excavator. There is no threat to the community of Fort Chipewyan at this time.

MWF-072 – lightning, July 23, BEING HELD, 125 kilometres north of Fort McMurray

MWF-073 –lightning, July 23, OUT OF CONTROL, July 23, 186 Hectares, 60 kilometres west of Fort McKay


Provincial Summary - 10 am, July 24

Since our last report on July 23 at 10 a.m., there have been 27 new wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. 6 are out of control, 13 are being held and 4 are under control. 

There are currently 56 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. 10 are out of control, 25 are being held, 16 are under control and 5 have been turned over to the responsible parties.

Since March 1, 2019, Alberta has recorded 855 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 854,186.64 hectares.


Safe campfire

 If you spot a wildfire, call 310-FIRE! 

 
For more information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta

Fort McMurray area contacts:

Inside the Urban Service Area contact: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo 780-743-7000 or

1-800-973-9663

Outside the Urban Service Area contact: Alberta Forestry at 780-743-7125 

Lynn Daina, Information Officer

780-799-9253

Phone: 1-866-FYI-FIRE

lynn.daina@gov.ab.ca

 

 

 

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