Fire activity increased due to hot temperatures and new wildfires were detected in the High Level Forest Area. Use caution in forested areas. Call 310-FIRE to report a wildfire.
FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT | AS OF JUNE 22, 2023
A fire restriction is in effect for the High Level, Peace River and Fort McMurray Forest Areas, as well as the northern part of the Grande Prairie Forest Area.
Under this restriction:
- Existing fire permits are suspended, and cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed.
Prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires are banned on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas.
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets is also prohibited.
Allowed:
- Safe wood campfires on private lands and in provincial campgrounds.
- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques.
- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.
- Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.
- Cooking, warming and lighting devices – all devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer’s standards.
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
Firefighters are transported by helicopter to areas of HWF058 that are not accessible by road. July 22, 2023.
WEATHER
The forecasted temperature today is 26 degrees, with a relative humidity of 35 percent with winds from the southeast at 10 to 15 km/h.
There is a special air quality statement for High Level. For more information please visit weather.gc.ca
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | JULY 23, 2023 AS OF 8 P.M.
There are 38 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, 11 are classified as out of control (OC), 18 are being held (BH) and nine are under control (UC). To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
NEW WILDFIRE STARTS ON JULY 23
HWF137 | This wildfire is classified as being held at 1.5 hectares. It was caused by lightning.
HWF138 | This wildfire is classified as out of control at 0.2 hectares. It was caused by lightning.
HWF139 | This wildfire is classified as out of control at 0.71 hectares. It was caused by lightning.
HWF140 | This wildfire is classified as being held at 0.07 hectares.
HWF141 | This wildfire is classified as under control at 0.1 hectares. It is located 16 km west of High Level and poses no threat to the community.
HWF142 | This wildfire is classified as being held at 15 hectares.
HWF143 | This wildfire is classified as being held at 0.3 hectares.
These wildfires do not pose any threat to communities at this time.
WILDFIRES OF INTEREST
HWF124 | This fire is located approximately 33 km east of Meander River. The fire is classified as being held (BH) at a last recorded size of 403 hectares. There are 26 firefighters and two helicopters working on this fire. Crews continue to work on building containment lines and extinguishing hotspots. There are no communities at risk at this time.
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. Alberta Wildfire and Little Red River Cree Nation have been in communication as the situation changes.
HWF102 | This is located approximately 18 km north of highway 58. The wildfire is classified as out of control (OC) at a last recorded size of 1,166 hectares. This wildfire was active today on the north flank. There are 48 firefighters, four helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire. Airtankers responded today. There are no communities at risk at this time.
THE OWL FIRE COMPLEX |HWF072, HWF083, HWF087, HWF092 | JULY 23, 2023 AS OF 8 P.M.
HWF072 | This fire was detected June 23, 2023. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 30,123 hectares. The fire is approximately 14 km southwest of the South Tall Cree boundary at highway 88. Due to the close proximity of this fire to the community, South Tall Cree has issued an evacuation alert. Mackenzie County has evacuated the Wadlin Lake campground and closed the road.
This fire saw an increase in fire activity today. Crews and helicopters continue to extend and strengthen containment lines on the northeast side to limit spread towards the community of South Tall Cree. Heavy equipment is establishing dozer guard on the far east side and on the southeast side.
HWF087 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 12,508 hectares. This fire is located approximately 3 km south of Harper Creek. No communities are at risk at this time. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.
HWF083 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 13,700 hectares. This fire is located approximately 34 km southeast of the South Tall Cree boundary at the Wabasca River. No communities are at risk at this time. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.
Resources
There are 132 firefighters, nine helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire. Airtankers are available as needed.
The Incident Management Team (IMT) continues to work closely with community members on understanding the local landscape and getting access to the fire ground. Alberta Wildfire is communicating with council and county partners as the fire situation changes.
Weather
Today the forecasted temperature is 25 degrees, a relative humidity of 55 percent with winds from the southeast at 10 km/h. There us a 60 percent chance of showers and thundershowers, bringing 2 to 4 mm of rain.
THE BEACH ROAD FIRE | HWF064 | JULY 23, 2023 AS OF 11:00 A.M.
This fire was detected June 9, 2023. This fire is classified as being held (BH) with a last recorded size of 6,175 hectares. Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries.
The fire is located approximately 10 km northwest of Zama City and there has been no significant growth reported. Crews, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make progress creating and strengthening containment lines to prevent spread towards the community of Zama City.
There are 57 wildland firefighters, seven helicopters, support staff and heavy equipment working on this fire.
A firefighter fills a temporary storage tank with water that will be used to put out hot spots.
THE BASSET COMPLEX | HWF058, PWF067, PWF079, PWF112, PWF114 | JULY 23, 2023 AS OF 8 P.M.
An Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing fire HWF058 within the High Level Forest Area as well as PWF067 and PWF079 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 38,929 hectares.
Fire activity increased on this wildfire today. Firefighters continue to work on extinguishing hot spots and extending containment lines. They will be assisted by helicopters who are bucketing in the area. Heavy equipment will also continue to strengthen and extend the containment lines.
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 out of control (OC) at 5,248 hectares.
Low fire activity was observed today, as this wildfire received significant rain in the last week. Heavy equipment continues to strengthen a dozer guard on the north flank of the wildfire.
PWF079 | This wildfire is classified as under control (UC) at three hectares. Firefighters continue to monitor this wildfire for activity.
PWF112 | This wildfire is classified as out of control (OC) at 0.74 hectares. Helicopters suppressed hot spots on this wildfire with their buckets. It is now being monitored by firefighters for activity.
PWF114 | This wildfire is classified as out of control (OC) at 0.01 hectares. Helicopters suppressed hot spots on this wildfire with their buckets. It is now being monitored by firefighters for activity.
Resources
There are 140 firefighters and support staff working on the Basset Complex with 12 helicopters and heavy equipment.
Weather
Today, the forecast is as follows: a temperature of 25 degrees with southwest winds of 10 km/h. The relative humidity is expected to be around 30 percent.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036 | JULY 23, 2023 AS OF 8 P.M.
HWF036 | This wildfire is classified as being held (BH) at 181,310 hectares. Being held means that given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.
Fire activity increased on this wildfire today. Firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots along Baseline Road and the southern edge of the fire. Helicopters are conducting bucketing operations in the northwestern corner of the fire. Heavy equipment continues to strengthen containment lines. FireSmart work is being done around the infrastructure to the west of the fire.
The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold with limited fire activity along that flank.
The Incident Management Team is planning ahead in case the wildfires currently burning in British Columbia move east towards the Long Lake fire. Structure protection has been established on infrastructure in the areas at risk.
There are 133 firefighters and support staff working on this wildfire, with six helicopters and heavy equipment.
THE PASKWA FIRE (HWF030) | JULY 23, 2023 AS OF 11:00 A.M.
HWF030 | 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. These areas will continue to be worked on by firefighters and heavy equipment.
Smoky conditions will continue in the community as crews pile and burn off debris. This is a controlled and monitored practice to get rid of unwanted downed trees. These piles are burnt on bare mineral soil and are located away from any structures in town.
There are 12 firefighters, two helicopters, and heavy equipment working on this fire.
Wood Buffalo National Park | Davidson Lake Complex (Wildfires 8, 9, 11, 13, 14)
For information regarding fires burning within the Wood Buffalo National Park, please click here.
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.
Subscribe to the High Level Forest Area Update to receive an email when new information is posted. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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.
Victoria Ostendorf
Wildfire Information Officer
High level Forest Area
Cell: 780-841-9387
Email: victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca