Fort McMurray Area Update

Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update - June 7, 2023

Posted on Wed, Jun 07, 2023

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A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for the entire community of Fort Chipewyan, due to wildfire MWF025. Evacuation has been safely completed. Click here for more information.

Wildfire Danger

The wildfire danger is VERY HIGH in the Fort McMurray Forest Area. Firefighters urge everyone to continue to use caution as a wildfire will ignite easily and spread quickly. There is a Fire Ban and OHV Restriction in effect, visit Alberta Fire Bans. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE(3473).


hercedited

(The Hercules arrived a few days ago with equipment for the wildfire, June 4, 2023)


Fire Ban wide

 OHV Restriction wide

 

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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.


SMOKY CONDITIONS

Due to the numerous wildfires in Alberta, smoky conditions will persist in communities and along highways. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Before travelling checwww.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.


FORT MCMURRAY WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 there have been 31 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, burning a total of 94, 937.78 hectares (ha). 

SWF081 was detected on May 14 and is located near Chipewyan Lakes. This wildfire is classified as being held and is estimated to be 20,082.80 hectares in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

Currently, there are 150 personnel working on this wildfire, which includes an incident management team, firefighting crews and contractors. 

To view the most recent map of SWF081, click here.

MWF021 was detected on May 27 and is located near Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park. This wildfire is classified as being held and is 12,064 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 being held and is 31,110 ha in size. The cause of this wildfire is under investigation.

MWF024 was detected May 28 and is located east of Marguerite River Wildland Provincial Park. This wildfire is classified as being held and is approximately 24,345 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF025 was detected May 28. After collecting more accurate data, we determined that the wildfire is approximately 4.5 km from Allison Bay residences, approximately 2.5 km from the Fort Chipewyan airport and approximately 7 km from Fort Chipewyan. This wildfire is classified as out of control and is approximately 24,106 ha in size. Wildfire investigators determined that this wildfire was caused by lightning.

Yesterday, we saw extreme fire activity. The southwest winds pushed the wildfire towards the northeast which caused wildfire growth on the northeast flank. The wildfire did not grow towards Fort Chipewyan, the airport or Allison Bay Residences. As of this morning, we don't have an exact growth size, but anticipate one sometime today when we are able to map the wildfire.

Ignition operations were executed last night to pull the wildfire into Lake Athabasca, so far, they appear to have been successful. This was a nighttime operation and smoke columns were visible from parts of Allison Bay and Fort Chipewyan.

Currently, there are a total of 291 personnel, which includes firefighters and structure protection personnel working to contain this wildfire. We gained a unit crew from both Fort McMurray and Whitecourt yesterday, along with two American hotshot crews. We also have multiple aircraft and several pieces of heavy equipment. The Canadian Armed Forces also deployed 65 personnel to assist in firefighting efforts.

The mandatory evacuation order is still in effect for the entire community of Fort Chipewyan. Click here for more information.

Since May 29th, 820 people have been safely evacuated from Fort Chipewyan.

Re-entry will only happen when it is safe to do so. The Emergency Management Team continues to work around the clock to assess needs and support residents. Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will work together to establish a safe re-entry process.

For the most recent map of MWF025, click here.

Yesterday, we had a max temperature of 21 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 30 per cent. Winds were blowing from the southwest at approximately 20 km/hour, gusting up to 40 km/hour. No precipitation.

Today, we expect a high of 22 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of about 25 per cent. Winds are expected to be blowing from the southwest at approximately 25 km/hour, with wind gusts up to 45 km/hour. This means the wind could push the wildfire in a northeast direction again.

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

MWF028 was detected June 1 and is located near Ells River. This wildfire is now extinguished and was approximately 4.36 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF030 was detected today and is located near La Butte Creek. This wildfire is classified as being held and is 7.4 ha in size. The cause of this wildfire is currently under investigation.

MWF031 was detected on June 4 and is located northeast of Fort Fitzgerald. This wildfire is classified as being held and is approximately 2.5 ha in size. The cause of this wildfire is currently under investigation.

Mutual-Aid wildfires:

MSC001 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.

To view active wildfires across Alberta, click here.

Check out the RMWB website for additional information.


FIRE BAN AND OHV RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the Fort McMurray Forest Area due to extreme fire danger.

Under this fire ban:

  • All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
  • No new Fire Permits will be issued

Prohibited:

  • All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
  • Backyard firepits
  • BBQ charcoal briquettes
  • The use of fireworks and exploding targets
  • The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails

Allowed:

  • Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
  • Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
  • Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
  • All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
  • Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.
  • Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.
  • Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands.
If you are caught not abiding by the rules outlined above, you can be issued a ticket or charged for the cost of fighting a wildfire. For more information on fire ban and OHV restriction enforcement, click here.

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

The fire ban and OHV restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.


PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023 in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 591 wildfires burning a total of 1,201,817 ha.


Report wildfires 2022

SMOKY CONDITIONS

Due to the numerous wildfires in Alberta, smoky conditions will persist in communities and along highways. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Before travelling checwww.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.


CHECK WINTER BURNS

Wildland firefighters are urging that it is important to check your winter burns to ensure it is completely extinguished. With dry conditions and gusting winds, it's possible for a winter burn to re-emerge as an active wildfire. Even though it may not be showing any visible signs of activity, deep underground, there might still be an active fire burning.


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
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 RELATED INFORMATION

Websites:

Alberta Wildfire, Alberta Fire Bans, FireSmart in Alberta, Alberta Emergency Alerts, Air Quality Health Index
Wildfire Smoke and Your Health, 511 Road Reports, and Emergency Preparation.

Social Media:

Join the conversation on

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Apps:

Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android and Alberta Fire Bans App for Apple or Android.

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