Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update

WILDFIRE DANGER

The wildfire danger is HIGH for south of Lake Athabasca and VERY HIGH for north of Lake Athabasca within the Fort McMurray Forest Area. Fort Smith's fire danger is considered EXTREME.

A Fire Advisory is now in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area. See details below.

Please be very cautious when recreating outdoors as we are entering a drying trend where wildfires can ignite easily and spread quickly.

Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

EVACUATION ORDERS

Highway 5 is currently closed due to wildfire activity. Click here, for more highway closure information.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) has declared a state of local emergency and issued an evacuation order for the community of Fort Fitzgerald. Click here for more information.

The Chief and Council of Smith's Landing First Nation has declared a state of local emergency and issued an evacuation order. Click here, for more information.

The Town of Fort Smith has declared a state of local emergency and issued an evacuation order for residents within the municipality and surrounding areas. Click here, for more information.

For information on Northwest Territories evacuations click here.

For more information and related links, please see MNZ003 below.

SMOKY CONDITIONS

Due to the numerous wildfires in Alberta and other parts of Canada, smoky conditions will continue. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Before travelling check www.511.Alberta.ca for information the latest road conditions or closures. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from and to view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

WILDFIRE OF NOTE

Heavy equipment continues to work on dozer guards for the Wood Buffalo Complex (August 24, 2023).

Wood Buffalo Complex (previously Parks Canada Fire 7, Alberta Wildfire MNZ003, and NWT SS069):

For the most recent map, click here.

For the evening update, click here.

If you have evacuated, DO NOT return. This is an active wildfire operation area and is dangerous for residents and first responders if people start coming back before it’s safe. The Wood Buffalo Complex is managed under Unified Command with the Government of Northwest Territories, Parks Canada, and Alberta Wildfire.

The Wood Buffalo Complex is currently 468,381 hectares in size and is classified as OUT OF CONTROL.

The north flanks of the complex saw active fire behaviour yesterday. With today’s forecasted wind change we are expecting fire growth towards the southeast. At its closest, the wildfire is approximately 3.4 km south of the closest residence within Fort Smith, NWT.

Collectively, there are 376 personnel which includes 86 pieces of heavy equipment, 24 helicopters and 154 firefighters and structure protection personnel responding to the Wood Buffalo Complex today. Crews continue to work tirelessly across the complex utilizing helicopters and heavy equipment to prevent the spread towards communities.

Weather:

Today, the forecast calls for 23 C and a relative humidity of 40 per cent. Winds from the southwest at 10 km/h, gusting to 15 km/h in the morning with a cold front expected to come through around noon causing a change in wind direction to northwest 15 km/h gusting up to 40 km/h. There is a slight chance of 0.5mm of scattered showers.

Tomorrow, the forecast calls for 27 C and a relative humidity of 30 per cent. Winds are forecasted to be from the south at 10 km/h, gusting up to 15 km/h. A change is expected to come from the southwest and an increase in the afternoon, at 15 km/h, gusting up to 35 km/h.

The forecast for early next week calls for hot dry temperatures with southerly winds, which continues to be a threat to communities.

Today’s Objectives:

The team will work to contain the north and east flanks of the wildfire using crews, equipment and aerial resources, as long as safe working conditions allow.

Helicopters continue to bucket in key locations along the wildfire perimeter where fire activity starts to pick up if visibility allows.

Ignition Operations:

Ignition specialists continue to be prepared to do planned ignition operations if conditions allow.

Work Completed and Yesterday’s Fire Activity:

Distance Disclaimer* These distances may have changed because there are several different ways of measuring and sometimes visibility and smoke can impact the accuracy of a distance measurement. Because this wildfire is such a dynamic incident, these distances are subject to change at any time, and we will do our best to update it as often as possible to keep everyone informed. Our distances are measured from the point on the fire line that is closest to the nearest residence within the cluster of houses the community.

Thebacha

After receiving an updated fire perimeter map, the wildfire is approximately 4.3 km from Thebacha.*
Yesterday helicopters worked to bucket the area and airtankers supported the east side of the fire’s edge.
Dozers worked along Connie’s Road to create the fire guard.
Approximately 10 km of dozer guard has been completed along the fire line south of the Thebacha and Highway 5 junction, working east towards Pine Lake Road.
Heavy equipment has tied the fire guard along Thebacha Road into the river at the north end.

Bell Rock Subdivision

After receiving an updated fire perimeter map, the wildfire is approximately 2.4 km away from Bell Rock.*
Structural protection crews went in to check the equipment installed around Bell Rock.
Previously, a dozer guard was established around the subdivision of Bell Rock on the south side of Highway 5.
And recently, an additional dozer guard was established on the west side of Bell Rock, north of Highway 5.
Crews also strengthened the containment line that is currently south of Highway 5 and south of Bell Rock. They are continuing to do this work east towards Fort Smith.

Fort Smith

After receiving an updated fire perimeter map, the wildfire is approximately 3.4 km from Fort Smith.*
Dozer crews continue to work west from Pine Lake Road strengthening dozer guards to the fire moving towards Fort Smith. Last night, heavy equipment worked to complete this guard.
Structural protection crews continue to check the equipment installed around town.
Airtankers were able to drop long-term retardant to strengthen the dozer guard on August 23.
Upgrading of the old Fort Smith community guard has been completed and is now a 15 blade wide (100 m) guard that has been scraped down to mineral soil. This community guard extends from West 40 (on Highway 5) to Pine Lake Road, just south of Border Town.
Airport Guards- Dozer guards have been constructed extending south, north, and west of the airport. The western guard connects to the nuisance grounds. The southern guard is connected into Fort Smith community guard.
Structure protection has been installed at the airport fire camp.

Extensive additional work has been done around town for sprinkler systems and FireSmart work. For more information on these efforts, see the Fort Smith Protective Services Facebook page.

Border Town

After receiving an updated fire perimeter map, the wildfire is approximately 5.3 km away from Border Town.*
A fire guard was established along the powerline and along Kaeser’s Canal.
Sprinkler lines have been set up along Kaeser’s Canal.
An additional dozer guard was established from the edge of the Fort Smith community guard to Highway 5 towards the golf course.
Structure protection has been installed at the field of dreams fire camp.

Halfway

After receiving an updated fire perimeter map, the wildfire is approximately 6.4 km away from the closest residence in Halfway.*
Structure protection has been installed on all known residences in Halfway.

Fort Fitzgerald

The wildfire is approximately now 3.1 km from the closest residence in town.*
The north flank of the fire closest to Fort Fitzgerald showed active fire behaviour yesterday.
Helicopters bucketed the area where the fire activity was, then airtankers arrived to take over in the afternoon.
A dozer crew worked to finish securing the southerly fire guard that had been breached on August 21.
Structural protection sprinklers were utilized on Monday and Tuesday.

Salt River Day Use Area

The wildfire crossed over Pine Lake Road and was burning on either side of the bridge near Salt River Day use area and Fish Camp. Structural protection sprinklers were turned on prior to the fire entering the area.
Crews are working the area today to put out spot fires.

Hay Camp

After receiving an updated fire perimeter map, the wildfire is approximately 7 km away from Hay Camp.*
Crews are monitoring the proximity of the wildfire to Hay Camp and are assessing the need and developing a plan for structure protection.

State of Emergency:

The Town of Fort Smith and Fort Fitzgerald have declared a STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY and it remains under an EVACUATION ORDER. The ORDER has been issued for public safety.

Highway 5 is currently closed from Hay River to Fort Smith due to safety concerns and limited visibility. Click here for highway closure information.

Additional Information:

Other Fires in Wood Buffalo National Park

All other fires in Wood Buffalo National Park are being actively monitored and do not pose a risk to public safety at this time. Parks Canada will continue to monitor and action fires as required. For more information visit Wood Buffalo National Park wildfire updates.

For additional information on the efforts being done in the Town of Fort Smith visit their protective services facebook page or the Town of Fort Smith webpage.

For information on all other wildfires visit the respective webpages:

For up-to-date road conditions, visit GNWT Highway Conditions

Report any wildfires or suspicious smoke in Alberta to 310-FIRE, in Northwest Territories to 1-877-NWTFIRE, and in Wood Buffalo National Park to 867-621-0136.

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT

A fire advisory is in effect for the entire Fort McMurray Forest Area due to continued hot and dry conditions which will increase the fire behaviour potential.

Under this advisory:

Existing fire permits are still valid but may be suspended or cancelled if warm, dry weather continues

The issuing or suspension of new permits is left to the discretion of a forest officer until conditions change
Permits for the use of fireworks and exploding targets will not be issued.

Prohibited

Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire.

Allowed

Safe wood campfires (including charcoal briquettes) in backcountry or random camping areas
Safe wood campfires (including charcoal briquettes) on private lands and in provincial campgrounds
Backyard fire pits
Charcoal briquette barbeques
Gas and liquid powered appliances (stoves and lanterns)
Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
Indoor wood fires

Remember to check the hot spots on your Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and remove debris before and after use.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

FORT MCMURRAY WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 there have been 58 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, burning a total of approximately 326,072 hectares (ha).

MWF021 was detected on May 27 and is located approximately 38 km south of Wood Buffalo National Park. This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) and is 14,760 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF023 was detected May 28 and is located near Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park. This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) and is 54,639 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF024 was detected May 28 and is located east of Marguerite River Wildland Provincial Park. This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) and is approximately 28,454 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF025 was detected May 28 and is located approximately 7 km north of Fort Chipewyan. This wildfire is classified as being held and is approximately 95,491 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

This wildfire no longer poses a threat to the community of Fort Chipewyan, Allison Bay, Dog Head, or the Fort Chipewyan airport. Eighty per cent of the entire wildfire perimeter is controlled, which includes the entire south perimeter.

MWF026 was detected May 28 and is located northeast of Marguerite River Wildland Provincial Park. This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) and is approximately 1,705 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF030 was detected on June 4 and is located near La Butte Creek. This wildfire is classified as being held and is 7.4 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF038 was detected on June 29 and is located approximately 6 km north of the Slave Lake/Fort McMurray Forest Area border. This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) and is approximately 569 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF039 was detected on June 29 and is located within Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park but has crossed over into the Slave Lake Forest Area. This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) and is approximately 15,200 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF043 was detected on June 30 and is approximately 20 km southeast of Fort Fitzgerald. This wildfire is classified as being held and is approximately 108,555 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning. To view actual locations of the wildfire, visit the wildfire dashboard.

This wildfire is experiencing decreased fire growth and is not currently moving any closer to Fort Smith or Fort Fitzgerald.

Mutual-aid wildfires:

ANT003 (SS022) was discovered on July 5, 2023 and is located approximately 25 km north of Fort Smith. It is approximately 85,584 ha in size and is classified as out of control. To view a digital map of this fire click here, or to see all fires around Fort Smith and Fort Fitzgerald, click here.

This wildfire is experiencing decreased fire growth and is not currently moving any closer to Fort Smith or Fort Fitzgerald.

Currently, all resources have been pulled from this wildfire to assist with MNZ003 (please see more information below).

MSZ001 is located on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border, just south of Lake Athabasca. This wildfire is classified as being held and is approximately 75 ha in size.

MNZ001 is located on the south edge of the Alberta/Wood Buffalo National Park border. This wildfire is classified as being held and is approximately 2,595 ha.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 983 wildfires burning a total of approximately 1,843,249 ha.

To view active wildfires across Alberta, click here.

To see the forecasted fire danger click here, updates daily at 3:00 PM.

ON ALERT

Fire lookouts are on high alert constantly watching for smoke and firefighters in helicopters are assessing potential sightings of wildfires, ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.

Wildland firefighters urge everyone to be extremely cautious when out in the Forest Protection Area. Check your winter burns, and comply with fire bans and OHV restrictions.

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CAMPFIRE SAFETY

Remember to check www.albertafirebans.ca for fire advisories, bans or restrictions in your area or destination. If you are camping in a provincial or national park, check the rules and guidelines and be sure to follow them for your safety and the safety of other campers.

Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring.

They are required to:

be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire
have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving
have enough water on hand to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas.

Always let the fire burn down before you plan to extinguish it. Spread the embers within the fire pit, then add water or loose dirt and stir. Repeat until your campfire is cool to the touch. You should not be able to feel any heat from the ashes.

OHV SAFETY

If you plan on riding OHVs in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, you can reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire by following these simple steps:

Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
Wash your OHV and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.
Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.

For more information, see Off-highway vehicles: Wildfire prevention tips.

EXPLODING TARGETS AND FIREWORKS

The Forest and Prairie Protection Act and associated regulations applies to the shooting, ignition or detonation of exploding targets and fireworks on public lands and private lands located within the FPA.

A Forest Officer from the local forest area office may grant written permission to shoot, ignite or detonate exploding targets or fireworks in the FPA. Written permission of exploding targets and fireworks is based on current wildfire danger and managed on a case-by-case basis.

A fire advisory, restriction, ban or forest closure may prohibit or limit use of exploding targets and fireworks during high wildfire hazard situations within the FPA. Check Alberta Fire Bans or the mobile phone app for the latest information.

WILDFIRE DASHBOARD

The wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

The dashboard builds on the former wildfire status map by displaying the most frequently accessed information in one convenient location.

CONTACT

Emily Smith

Wildfire Information Officer | Fort McMurray Forest Area

Phone: 780-799-9253

Email: emily.smith@gov.ab.ca