High Level Area Update

Please use caution when working or recreating outdoors and keep watch of your surroundings. Any spark, friction or hot exhaust could start a wildfire. If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

This update is best viewed on a web browser or the AB Wildfire Status App | To view previous High Level Forest Area Updates - Click here. Bold indicates new or important information. 

A fire advisory is in effect for the High Level Forest Area.

To learn more about the Alberta Fire Ban System, check out our video or visit AlbertaFireBans.ca.

        HTZ001 (Cameron Hills): Crews continue their hard work on the fire line.

There are currently 11 fires burning in the High Level Forest Area (HLFA). Of those wildfires, ten are classified as under control and one is classified as being held. Six of these under control wildfires are carry-over fires from the 2023 season. Additionally, there are three fires along borders: two shared with B.C. and one with the N.W.T.

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 37 wildfires in the HLFA, burning a total of 537 hectares (ha).

HTZ001 (Cameron Hills wildfire) is a mutual aid wildfire that originated in the border zone with the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) in 2023. It is currently located near Indian Cabins, just south of the N.W.T. border. Crews worked on it into the fall and winter and the fire carried over into 2024. On May 10, the fire crossed Highway 35, near Indian Cabins and the Hay River, and on May 23 it spread north, crossing the border back into the N.W.T. It is estimated that since May 10, 29,980 hectares have burned, and the fire is now considered out of control. Please note that this affected area (29,980 ha) is not included in the total number of hectares indicated in the HLFA, as it is a mutual-aid wildfire with shared jurisdiction with the N.W.T.

Yesterday, containment lines held along the southern perimeter and along the highway. Crews continue to have success with various tactics including building dozer guard, laying hose line, finding, and extinguishing hot spots along the perimeter and using helibuckets. The priority remains mitigating the fire’s impact on values at risk, including Highway 35. 145 firefighters, 19 helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment remain assigned to the incident.

Late in the day, significant growth was observed in the northeast corner near Swan Lake, close to the N.W.T. border. Two helicopters with night vision capabilities began working in the area. They worked throughout the night dropping water on hot spots, cooling down the areas where the crews will return this morning. This will permit the crews to better attain their objectives on the ground.

Today, a new Incident Management Team will transition with the team in place at the Steen River Incident Command Post. This is a regular practice where a fresh and rested team comes in to relieve their counterparts after approximately 14 days of deployment.

All suppression efforts along the N.W.T. border are coordinated with the N.W.T. government. Please see https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/wildfire-update for more information on their activities.

Today, a high of 18 C is expected along with a low relative humidity of 25% to 30%, north to northeast winds at 15-20 km/h, but gusting to 35 km/h and trace precipitation. A system bringing higher relative humidity and some precipitation is slowly moving into the area of the fire. While this will reduce the fire’s rate of spread and intensity, the gusting and changing winds will challenge containment lines.

Highway 35 and surrounding roads may be impacted. We urge all motorists to check Alberta 511 before travelling in the area—allowing extra time in case of road closures. For up-to-date information on highway closures, visit Alberta 511 or download the app.

We ask that the public stay away from the area as firefighters and aircraft continue their work containing the spread of the wildfire. DO NOT use drones in the surrounding area of the wildfire. If you're in the sky, we can't fly.

HWF021 is classified as being held, estimated to be 378 ha in size and now a part of MCX001 wildfire complex with the Fort McMurray Forest Area. There are no threats to infrastructure or communities at this time. This wildfire is being actioned by firefighters and will be extinguished.

CLASSIFICATIONS | To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here.

LOCATIONS | To view this wildfire on our interactive map, click here and follow the active wildfire link.

CARRY OVER WILDFIRES | There are seven carry over wildfires from the 2023 wildfire season. These fires are classified as under control (UC). High-level infrared scanning is being conducted by aircraft to determine if there are any other active spots in the forest area. The wildfires remaining on the landscape are being monitored for fire activity, and resources are being deployed to extinguish hotspots as they are discovered.

SMOKE CONCERNS | Smoke may be visible in the High Level Forest Area. To see forecasted smoke, you can visit FireSmoke.ca. If you have smoke related health concerns, please contact Alberta 811.

To learn more on how you can protect your farm or acreage, you can also download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

For more information, please contact: