Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update

The wildfire danger level is extreme across the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

A fire ban is in effect for the entire Fort McMurray Forest Area.

Over the past 24 hours, we've had approximately five new starts that were caused by lightning.

Hangingstone Provincial Recreation Area and Richardson Wildland Park have been closed to the public effective immediately.

67% of wildfires are human-caused, everyone plays a role in preventing wildfires. Take the wildfire pledge to reduce wildfires and be entered to win a helicopter tour! Go to alberta.ca/wildfire-pledge.

Wildfire MCX002 - Cattail Complex

There are several wildfires that are all being managed together under MCX002. This includes MWF047, MWF056, MWF057 (now extinguished), MWF077 and MWF079. MWF056 is classified as being held and the rest are out of control. All of these wildfires were caused by lightning.

There are 246 personnel currently working on this complex, including 134 firefighters, 64 incident management team members, support staff, contractors and pilots. We have 19 helicopters and 29 pieces of heavy equipment working this complex.

MWF047 is estimated to be 82,709 ha in size. See the most recent map available for MWF047.

Currently, MWF047 is approximately 6.8 km northeast of industrial facilities, about 53 km northeast of Fort McKay and 68 km northeast of Fort McMurray.

Most of the fire growth from yesterday was towards the north. Helicopters bucketed on west-southwest portions of the wildfire that showed smoke but the wildfire seemed to respond well to the bucketing. So far, that line continues to hold well, but we are still expecting a challenging firefighting day today.

Crews will continue to work along the south-southwest edge of MWF047, supported with helicopters bucketing.

MWF077 is estimated to be 8,167 ha in size. See the most recent map available for MWF077.

Currently, MWF077 is approximately 9 km south of industrial facilities, about 36 km east of Fort McKay and 38 km northeast of Fort McMurray.

Today, we expect another challenging firefighting day on this complex. The wildfire burned well into the night, even with our nighttime capable helicopter bucketing on the north and northwest edge of the wildfire for most of the night.

Today, crews will be positioned along the northwest edge of the wildfire, with heavy helicopters supporting that work. Last night, dozers were working overnight and were impacted by smoke a bit. Smoky conditions are expected to continue over the next few days. This could likely impact operations.

Yesterday, we also had a retardant application truck put down lines of retardant. This is a vehicle that can spray retardant on the ground and is an effective way to add more retardant in key locations in a more precise way than with airtankers. This also helps to take some pressure off the airtankers, so airtankers can put down retardant where a truck truck can't access. This work will continue today.

The forecast is predicting conditions conducive to extreme fire behaviour for the next few days. This means we can expect some significant fire growth. The forecast for the next few days predict that we will have very challenging firefighting days ahead of us.

Today, the forecast predicts a high of 32 degrees Celsius and a low relative humidity of 20 per cent. Winds are expected to come out of the southwest at 10-15 km/h, with isolated gusting up to 30 km/h. In the afternoon, there's a 10 per cent chance of trace amounts of rain. This will have no impact on the complex, if we receive it.

We have ignition plans prepared in the event we need to use them. This is only done during ideal conditions and under the watchful eye of experienced wildfire managers. These operations are supported by helicopter bucketing operations.

High level scans will continue to be completed for MWF047 and MWF077 and help to identify areas of fire growth and hotspots. These scans are crucial for prioritizing resources to the parts of the wildfire that require it most.

(Yesterday, extreme fire behaviour was seen on MWF077 and MWF047 and we expect more of the same today, July 16, 2024)

Wildfire MCX003 - Algar Lake Complex

MWF069 – 12,334 hectares
MWF086 – 235 hectares

MWF069 started on July 10 as a series of smaller lightning-caused fires that all merged into this larger fire. It is located approximately:

11 km west of Highway 63
40 km southwest of Fort McMurray

As a result of thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon, the Algar Lake Complex is responding to a new start:

MWF086 is located approximately 8 km north of the MWF069 perimeter and is estimated at 235 hectares. Skimmers and bucketing helicopters were part of the initial response yesterday afternoon. At this time, here are no immediate concerns created by this new fire.

A significant amount of lightning strikes were recorded in the area yesterday afternoon, most of which were accompanied by precipitation. As the effects of the precipitation wears off today with the hot and dry weather in the forecast, there is a potential for discovering new holdover lightning fires. Crews and fire management personnel will be keeping an eye out for any new fires on the landscape.

If you see a smoke column or flames in a new area, you can report it to Alberta Wildfire by dialing 310-FIRE.

The next few days are expected to bring temperatures above thirty degrees along with lower relative humidity values. Weather conditions will continue to be favorable for significant fire behaviour and fire spread. This further underlines the potential for more intense fire behaviour and spread.

A high of 32 degrees Celsius is expected today, with relative humidity values potentially dipping to 30 per cent. Crossover conditions are possible. Southwesterly winds shifting to westerly mid-afternoon at 10-15 km/h. Afternoon gusts are possible up to 30 km/h. There is no precipitation anticipated.

There are 159 personnel from Alberta, New Brunswick and Ontario assigned to the Algar Lake Complex. Among them are forest firefighters, heavy equipment operators, structure protection staff and a 15-person incident management team.

(Logistical planning is a very important component of wildfire response and operations. Logistics staff ensure that forest fire fighters and wildfire specialists have the supply and equipment they need to work safely and effectively. Photo taken July 16 at the Algar Lake Complex)

An ignition team has been assigned to MCX003 to assess opportunities for reducing forest fuels ahead of potential fire spread in strategic areas of the Algar Lake Complex. Planned and controlled ignition operations are only conducted under specific weather conditions and are always thoroughly supervised by wildfire management specialists. Their goal is to safely limit the progression of fire spread.

All fire crews are working on the northeast corner MWF069 today, more generally on the east side of the fire to limit fire spread eastward toward Highway 63. Fire suppression gear that was demobilized yesterday by crews that were working on the southwest corner of the fire will be relocated to the northeast corner by slinging helicopters today.

Seven helicopters are assigned to the incident. They continue to action hot spots and are bucketing onto strategic locations that are showing an increase in fire activity, while supporting the operations of crews on the ground. They may also be used to respond to any new starts in the area of the Algar Lake Complex, should they be discovered over the next few days.

Heavy equipment operators are dedicated to the eastern side of the fire perimeter, they continue to extend contingency lines to limit eastward fire spread.

Smoke from active wildfires in the Algar Lake Complex will be visible in Fort McMurray and surrounding areas as weather continues to be progressively hotter and drier this week, intensifying fire behaviour.

Working on the fireline is physically demanding and when combined with high temperatures there is an increased risk of heat stress. Over the coming days, it will be important for forest firefighters and emergency response staff to ensure proper hydration, pacing themselves and monitoring for potential signs of heat illness. Safety is always the first priority.

Download the 511 app to stay up to date on any road closures in Alberta. This wildfire could impact visibility on Highway 63, always drive with extreme caution.

MCX004 - Rabbit Lake Complex

MWF060, MWF078, and MWF074)

MWF060 is located approximately 6 km east of the Slave Lake Forest Area border and the Fort McMurray Forest Area border. It is also and estimated to be 9000 ha in size. This wildfire is classified as out of control and was caused by lightning.

MWF074 is located northeast of MWF060, is 0.2 ha in size and is classified as out of control.

MWF078 is located southwest of MWF060, is 543 ha in size, and is classified as out of control.

Currently, we have four firefighters and two helicopters working on this complex.

Yesterday, MWF060 showed extreme fire behaviour. This was due to hot and dry weather conditions.

(The Rabbit Lake complex was fairly quiet for fire behaviour, July 15, 2024)

Fire Ban banner

A fire ban is in effect as of 4 p.m. on July 10 in the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Fort McMurray Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.

Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks), are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.

Under this fire ban:

All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
No new fire permits will be issued.
Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited:

All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits
Barbeque charcoal briquettes
Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:

Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.

We want to remind everyone that along with the rest of the forest area, there should be absolutely no wood campfires, charcoal barbeque, fireworks, or exploding targets in the Richardson backcountry. Conditions are very dry and hot and we want to reduce the chance of new wildfires starting.

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

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

See the fire ban factsheet.

More information on the fire ban for Fort McMurray's Urban Service Area

For more information, visit Alberta Fire Bans.

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See the forecasted fire danger map

FORT MCMURRAY WILDFIRE UPDATE

Since January 1, 2024 there have been 87 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, burning a total of approximately 146,982 hectares (ha).

MWF043 was discovered on July 2 and is located approximately 18 km west of the Athabasca River and 56 km south of the southern Wood Buffalo National Park border. It is classified as out of control and is estimated to be 900 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF068 was discovered on July 10 and is located approximately 4.5 km east of the High Level Forest Area border and 13 km north of the Slave Lake Forest Area border. It is classified as being held and is estimated to be 100 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF045 was discovered on July 2 and is located approximately 23 km south of the Wood Buffalo National Park border. It is classified as being held and is estimated to be 2,300 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF056 was discovered July 3 and is located approximately 41 km north of the cattail complex (MCX002). It is classified as being held and is estimated to be 400 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF057 was discovered July 3 and is located approximately 65 km east of Fort McKay and approximately 70 km northeast of Fort McMurray. It is classified as being held and is estimated to be 13.8 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF010 was discovered on April 21 and is located near the Birch Mountains. It is classified as under control at 7,976 ha in size. This means that this wildfire is contained and will be extinguished. This wildfire was human-caused.

MWF017 was discovered on May 9 and is located southwest of Fort McMurray. It is classified as under control at 18,593 ha. This means that this wildfire is contained and will be extinguished. The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.

MWF065 was discovered July 9 and is located approximately 7 km southeast of Highway 63 and approximately 3.4 km from Maqua Lake. It is classified as under control and is estimated to be 6 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

MWF067 was discovered on July 10 and is located approximately 4 km southwest of Gregoire Lake 176. It is classified as under control and is currently 0.3 ha in size. This wildfire was caused by lightning.

For up-to-date information on the current wildfire situation, visit Alberta Wildfire Status.

SAFETY AROUND SKIMMERS (Water Bombers)

If you're planning to be out on the lake this weekend, please keep in mind that skimmer planes are often using various lakes to refill with water.

This is another critical resource for firefighting operations, so we ask anyone on water bodies to stay alert and watch out for skimmers. If you see a skimmer coming towards a water body, ensure you get within 30 metres of shore so they can safely refill.

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DRONES are not allowed to be flown within 5 nautical miles (or 9.3 kilometers) of a wildfire.

If you fly a drone within this distance of a wildfire, it immediately halts firefighting operations because it is not safe to be flying with drones in the air. The penalty for interfering with wildfire control operations can land you a court appearance, for more information go to the Government of Alberta website.
For more information from Transport Canada about drones near wildfires, visit Transport Canada's website.

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