Fort McMurray Forest Area Wildfire Update - May 18, 2024

The wildfire danger is low in the Fort McMurray area and moderate in the area north of Lake Athabasca.

Alberta Wildfire is currently responding to an out of control wildfire south of Fort McMurray. See below for more information.

A fire ban are now in effect in the entire Fort McMurray Forest Area. An off-highway vehicle restriction is in place in the area south of Lake Athabasca.

Please be cautious when spending time outdoors. Wildfires can start and spread very easily in dry grass.

Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).

MWF017 fire guard May 17 2024

Heavy equipment operators have completed a fire guard that stretches from the Athabasca River to Highway 63. May 17, 2024.

MWF017

MWF017 is classified as out of control at 19,493 hectares. The size was adjusted down slightly from yesterday after more accurate data was received.

The closest point of the fire remains about 5.5 km from the Fort McMurray landfill and 4.5 km from the intersection of highways 63 and 881.

See the latest map of wildfire MWF017.

There was no growth on the fire yesterday and fire activity was low. About 10 mm of rain fell on the wildfire overnight, which will lead to subdued fire activity again today. About 20 mm of rain have fallen on the wildfire since the evening of May 16. More rain showers are in the forecast.

Helicopters will likely be grounded today due to the weather conditions. Heavy equipment operators worked through the night to establish ground access and crews will be back at work on the fire line today.

Heavy equipment operators have completed the construction of a fire guard that stretches from the Athabasca River to Highway 63. They will now redirect their efforts to the perimeter of the wildfire and will work to establish more containment line on the north and east sides.

There are 224 firefighters, 24 helicopters and 57 pieces of heavy equipment currently assigned to the wildfire.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has lifted the evacuation order for the neighbourhoods of Prairie Creek, Beacon Hill, Abasand, and Grayling Terrace.

The evacuation alert has been lifted for the rest of Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek, Gregoire Lake Estates, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation and Anzac.

See Alberta Emergency Alert for the latest information.

See 511 Alberta for the latest information on road closures.

MWF024 was detected May 15 and is classified as under control, at 1 hectare in size. It is located about 3 km north of Fort McMurray, west of Highway 63 and north of Parsons Creek. Firefighters continue to work on this wildfire. There is no threat to the community.

MWF023 was detected May 13 and is currently classified as under control, at 1.8 hectares in size. It is located about 3 km northeast of the Fort Chipewyan airport, 1.7 km from the Allison Bay fire guard and 9 km northeast of the community. Firefighters continue to work on this wildfire. There is no threat to the community.

Jean Lake Complex (MXC001) is made up of two wildfires (HWF021 and MWF010), located near Birch Mountains. MWF010 is 7,976 hectares in size and HWF021 is 378 hectares. Both are classified as being held and do not pose a threat to any community.

There are currently two carryover wildfires from the 2023 season burning in the Fort McMurray Forest Area. Both of these wildfires are under control. They are being monitored by firefighters.

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

Download the Alberta Wildfire App for Apple or Android.

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FIRE BAN AND OHV RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire ban is in effect in the Fort McMurray Forest Area due to dry conditions and extreme fire danger.

An OHV restriction is place for the region of the Fort McMurray Forest Area located south of Lake Athabasca.

See Alberta Fire Bans for a map of the restriction area.

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 fire pits
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.

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

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Drones are not allowed within five nautical miles (or 9.3 kilometers) of a wildfire. If you fly a drone within this distance of a wildfire, it immediately halts aerial firefighting operations because it is not safe for aircraft to be flying with drones in the air. Interfering with wildfire control operations can land you a court appearance.

See Transport Canada's Forest fires and drones fact sheet for more information.

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