High Level Area Update

There are 19 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, one is classified as out of control (OC), 10 are being held (BH) and eight are under control (UC). To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.

WILDFIRES OF INTEREST

HWF112 | This fire is located approximately 32 km north of highway 58, east of Wentzel Lake. This fire is classified as being held (BH) at a last recorded size of 32,158 hectares. This fire is being monitored by firefighters. There are no communities at risk at this time. 

HWF030 | THE PASKWA FIRE 

The Paskwa fire was detected on May 2, 2023. It extends along the south side of the Peace River from the community of Fox Lake into Wood Buffalo National Park and is approximately 8 km south of the community of Garden River. The wildfire is 96,582 hectares in size and is classified as under control (UC). 

Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from deep ash pits, burning peat and falling trees or branches, especially if windy.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES WILDFIRE 

HTZ001 | A wildfire from the Northwest Territories has entered the High Level Forest Area northwest of Indian Cabins. The wildfire is approximately 20 km west of highway 35 and the wildfire is approximately 33,280 hectares in size. Airtankers have established retardant lines to protect nearby infrastructure. There are currently three helicopters bucketing on this wildfire to extinguish major hotspots. Due to poor visibility over the wildfire ground crews have had limited access to the area. 

There has been no significant movement of this wildfire in the last 48 hours and there are no communities at risk at this time.  

For more information on this wildfire north of the Alberta border, visit the NWT Fire Info Facebook page or website.

For any road closures please visit 511.alberta.ca

THE OWL COMPLEX | AUGUST 19, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM 

The High Level Forest Area is managing wildfires HWF072, HWF138, HWF083, HWF087, HWF092, and HWF142.

HWF072 | This fire is classified as under control (UC) at 30,123 hectares. The fire is approximately 14 km southwest of the South Tall Cree boundary at highway 88. 

This weekend, crews will continue to search for and extinguish hotspots near Wadlin Lake and the northern perimeter of the wildfire. Reclamation of dozer guards in areas where there's no concern for re-ignition is being planned and will begin in the coming weeks when conditions allow.

HWF083 | This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 13,700 hectares. It is located approximately 34 km southeast of the South Tall Cree boundary at the Wabasca River. No communities are currently at risk. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.  

HWF087 | This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 12,508 hectares. This fire is located approximately 3 km south of Harper Creek. No communities are currently at risk. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.

HWF142 | This fire is classified as extinguished (EX) at 15 hectares. No communities are currently at risk. Firefighters will continue to monitor this fire. 

Resources 

There are 12 firefighters and three helicopters working on this complex. 

South African firefighters extinguishing hotspots in difficult terrain, August 18, 2023. 

THE BASSET COMPLEX | AUGUST 19, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM

An Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing wildfires HWF058 and HWF138 within the High Level Forest Area, as well as wildfires PWF067, PWF079, and PWF114 within the Peace River Forest Area. 

HWF058 | This wildfire is located about 12 km northwest of the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement boundary marker, where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. It is classified as out of control (OC) at 39,097 hectares. 

In the past few days, airtankers built-up containment line by dropping retardant on the west side as it is difficult terrain for wildfire crews to extinguish hotspots in the area. Bucketing operations were heavy on this flank as they work to extinguish a large hotspot. 

Work continues along the southwest side, bucketing operations will continue to cool the area as crews work on hotspots. Dozer guard is being established on this side as heavy equipment moves north. The dozers have reached the halfway point and will continue to push north. Due to the high winds this week fire is spotting over the guard. Crews are working with helicopters to extinguish these spots to prevent further spread. 

PWF067 | This wildfire is located 9 kilometers west of highway 35 and 10 km south of the Keg River. It is classified as under control (UC) at 5,248 hectares. The wildfire will be monitored by helicopters as dry, warm and windy conditions are expected through the week.

PWF079 | This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) at 3 hectares. Firefighters continue to monitor this wildfire. 

Resources 

There are 98 firefighters and support staff working on the Basset Complex with 12 helicopters and heavy equipment. Firefighters from South Africa and Alberta are currently working on this wildfire. 

Weather

Today the forecasted temperature is 22 degrees, a relative humidity of 35 percent with southwest-west winds 10-15 km/h.  

THE LONG LAKE FIRE | AUGUST 19, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM

An Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing fires HWF036 and HBZ003.

HWF036 | This wildfire is classified as being held (BH) at 186,528 hectares. Being held means that given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.

Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to strengthen and extend the containment lines in key areas to prevent the spread of the wildfire. Helicopters and crews continue to work to protect critical infrastructure on the west side. The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold. 

Firefighters are still seeing flaring trees on the western edges when conditions are right. The forest fuels, like needles and branches, are still dry and significant rain will be required to change these conditions. Due to recent rain it has limited access for crews as the terrain is difficult and dangerous to manage. Instead, bucketing operations were heavily relied upon to continue working to cool hot areas along the west flank. 

Crews were working along the south edge of the perimeter as wildfire activity picked up in that area yesterday. Helicopters will work alongside the crews to monitor and report smoke columns that continue to pop-up and will direct crews to that location for extinguishment.  

We are asking the public, residents and industry to use extra caution around areas impacted by wildfire and to not walk near or into burnt areas. There are many hazards that are difficult to see, like deep burning ash pits, unstable trees that can fall because their roots have been burnt away, as well as other unknown dangers. Fallen trees on various roads have been reported. If travelling along these burnt areas, be aware and prepared in case these trees fall onto the road, as your vehicle could become entrapped.

HBZ003 | This fire continues to be active on the east and northeast sides with spread on the south east flank. Helicopters have been working the northeast and southeast side to slow the spread towards critical infrastructure in the area.  

Resources

There are 38 firefighters and support staff working on this wildfire from the United States and Alberta. Eight helicopters and heavy equipment are also supporting these operations. Additional helicopters and airtankers are available if required.

Weather

Today the forecasted temperature is 23 degrees, a relative humidity of 35 percent with winds out of the southwest at 15 km/h gusts up to 30 km/h. 

Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device. Available for Apple and Android.

Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination. 

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WILDFIRE LINKS AND TOOLS

Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province can contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca. 

There are multiple EVACUATION ORDERS & ALERTS in the Province. Please visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.

To see all the wildfires burning in Alberta click here.

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS | Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire by clicking here.

Acting Information Officer - High Level Forest Area