The High Level Forest Area received some rain showers and therefore the fire activity has been reduced. Stay safe this long weekend and remember to always put out your fire. Soak it, stir it, and soak it again until the ashes are cool to the touch. Never leave your campfire unattended.
- New heavy fuel fire permits may be requested and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Burn barrel permits can be requested and burn barrel permits that were issued in 2023 are active again.
- Backyard fire pits
- Portable propane fire pits
- Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
- Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
Stay away from active wildfire areas | For your safety and to ensure firefighters can do their job safely, please stay away from active wildfire areas. Your cooperation is essential.
Dangerous trees | 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.
Reporting wildfires | Please do not report smoke or flame from within an active wildfire area. Firefighters are diverted from essential tasks to respond to fires reported by the public. You may see smoke or flame within the existing boundary of a wildfire, this is normal.
Smoke | Lingering smoke may still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and poor air quality. Please use extra caution when driving in smoky conditions, and take necessary precautions if you have smoke-related health concerns.
Drones | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada
WEATHER
The forecasted temperature today is 24 degrees, with a relative humidity of 40 percent with light variable winds of 10 km/h. There's a slight chance of thunder showers in parts of the forest area with a possibility of lightning.
There is a special air quality statement issued for High Level. For more information please visit weather.gc.ca
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | AUGUST 6, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
There are 25 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, one is classified as out of control (OC), 14 are being held (BH) and 10 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.
HWF102 | This is located approximately 18 km north of highway 58. The wildfire is classified as being held (BH) at a last recorded size of 1,166 hectares. There are 21 firefighters, two helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire. Crews have are working to establish and strengthen control lines on the west and east sides of the fire work towards the south. There are no communities at risk at this time.
HWF064
This fire was detected June 9, 2023. This fire is classified as under control (UC) with a last recorded size of 6,175 hectares. The fire is located approximately 10 km northwest of Zama City. Firefighters are monitoring this wildfire and will action it as needed.
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 being held (BH). Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries.
Crews continue their work in Fox Lake going house to house to extinguish 250 feet around each structure and 250 feet along roadways. There are areas within the community where the fire is burning deep in peat moss. Extinguishing peat fires has additional challenges. These fires burn deep into the ground and often need to be dug out and drowned in water. If they aren't properly extinguished, peat fires can burn under ground for weeks and even through the winter months. They can creep underground and resurface later, in new locations.
There are 12 firefighters and four water trucks working on searching for and extinguishing hotspots near the community. They're assisted by other heavy equipment and two helicopters.
Firefighters are laying out hose near the community of Fox Lake to assist with searching for and extinguishing hotspots (Aug 5, 2023).
THE OWL COMPLEX | AUGUST 6, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
An Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing wildfires HWF072, HWF138, HWF083, HWF087, HWF092, and HWF142.
HWF072 | This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 30,123 hectares. The fire is approximately 14 km southwest of the South Tall Cree boundary at highway 88. Good progress is being made by crews, helicopters and heavy equipment as they continue to extend containment lines on the northern flank working towards the west, and on the southeast corner of the fire. Firefighters were also busy building helipads in some key areas in case firefighters need to access these areas again later. Very little activity was observed on the north side and crews continue to mop up this side of the fire. Some activity was actioned on the southeast and helicopters were assisting firefighters with bucketing operations.
Tomorrow, crews will continue to search for and extinguish hotspots. Reclamation of dozer guards in areas where there's no concern for re-ignition is being planned and will begin in the coming weeks.
The wildfire has received moderate rain which has kept the wildfire behaviour at a minimum.
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 under control (UC) at 15 hectares. No communities are currently at risk. Firefighters found light smoke on this wildfire today and plan to grid the wildfire tomorrow to search for and extinguish the hotspots. Firefighters will continue to monitor this fire.
Resources
There are 39 firefighters, nine helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire. Airtankers are available as needed.
Weather
Today the forecasted temperature is 23 degrees, a relative humidity of 50 percent with winds northeast 10 km/h. There's a small chance of rain showers.
THE BASSET COMPLEX | AUGUST 6, 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 39,575 hectares.
The recent rain received on this wildfire reduced some of the fire behaviour. Firefighters continue to work on extinguishing hotspots and strengthening containment lines. They are assisted by helicopters who are bucketing in the area. Heavy equipment continues to extend the containment lines.
The north side of the fire hasn't shown very much fire behaviour. Heavy equipment plans to build an additional containment line from the northwest to the southwest points to prevent any spread towards the north. The southeast part of the wildfire hasn't shown very much fire activity but firefighters continue to monitor this area to prevent any potential spread towards communities and properties. The west and southwest side has been the most active. Firefighters have established a good section of hose lay to bring water to the fireline and continue to search for and extinguish hotspots.
The area of the fire that crossed to the east side of the Chinchaga River is about 15 km north of where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. This area is secured and contained.
PWF067 | This wildfire is located 9 kilometers west of highway 35 and 10 km south of the Keg River. It is classified as being held (BH) at 5,248 hectares. Firefighters continue to monitor this wildfire for activity.
PWF079 | This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) at 3 hectares. Firefighters continue to monitor this wildfire.
Resources
There are 99 firefighters and support staff working on the Basset Complex with 12 helicopters and heavy equipment. Firefighters from Australia, United States and Alberta are currently working on this wildfire, the South African crews will be returning early this week from their days off.
Weather
Today the forecasted temperature is 26 degrees, a relative humidity of 40 percent with northeast winds at 10 km/h and a slight chance of rain showers.
HWF058 was showing some fire activity yesterday but was very quiet on the southeast section of the fire. (August 4, 2023).
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036, | AUGUST 6, 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 185,329 hectares. Being held means that given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.
Fire activity is mostly contained to the western side of this wildfire. Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to strengthen and extend their containment lines. Helicopters, and crews continue to work to protect critical infrastructure on the west side as well. The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold.
Increased fire behaviour was observed yesterday on the west side of the fire. Heavy helicopters were assisting firefighters to action the flare ups.
HBZ003 | This fire continues to be active on the east and northeast side. Helicopters have been working the northeast side to slow the spread towards critical infrastructure in the area.
Resources
There are 29 firefighters and support staff working on this wildfire, with seven helicopters and heavy equipment. Additional heavy helicopters were used yesterday and are available again today.
Weather
Today the forecasted temperature is 28 degrees, a relative humidity of 30 percent with winds southwest 10-15 km/h with a slight chance of showers.
DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES!
The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada
WILDFIRE INFORMATION
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.
For road closure information, please visit: 511.alberta.ca
Wildfire smoke is a tool used for the location of smoke firesmoke.ca
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