High Level Area Update

Please use caution when spending time in forested areas. If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473).

A fire advisory remains 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.

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE SITUATION

Paskwa wildfire now extinguished

After extensive work over the winter and into the spring, including numerous infrared scans to identify hot spots — along with recent precipitation received — we are confident in changing the status of the Paskwa wildfire to extinguished (EX). Note: This fire was referred to as HWF030 on the wildfire app and webpage.

The Paskwa wildfire was a 2023 carry-over fire, which burned in the vicinity of several Little Red River Cree Nation communities, including Fox Lake, and caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure and the environment last year — impacting the lives of many in the area.

Our success in extinguishing the Paskwa wildfire is a result of a close working relationship and communication between Alberta Wildfire and the Little Red River Cree Nation. The support and cooperation of the nation chief and council, along with community members, have been very much appreciated.

Alberta Wildfire will continue to work closely with the Little Red River Cree Nation and its leaders — and surrounding communities within the High Level Forest Area and beyond — to enhance awareness and prevention efforts, thereby reducing the likelihood of significant wildfires, such as the Paskwa fire, impacting lives and livelihoods in the future. 

General situation

There are currently eight fires burning in the High Level Forest Area — all are classified as under control. Four of these wildfires are carry-over fires from the 2023 season. Additionally, there are three wildfires along borders: two shared with B.C. and one with the N.W.T. (HTZ00, see below).

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 41 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 536 hectares (ha). These numbers do not include the three border fires noted above.

CLASSIFICATIONS | Learn more about wildfire classifications.

LOCATIONS | View this wildfire on our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SITUATION

The fire danger is low across most of the boreal, with a pocket of moderate to very high in the western boreal region. It is high to very high along the Rocky Mountains and very high to extreme in the agricultural zone.

Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 417 wildfires burning a total of approximately 27,986 ha. 

Last year, on this date, there were 628 wildfires that had burnt a total of 1,724,241 ha across the province. Over the past five years on this date, an average of 488 wildfires had burnt an average of 495,840 ha.

Morale remains high as firefighters with Alberta Wildfire (Forestry and Parks) continue their work extinguishing hot spots in perimeter areas of the Cameron Hills wildfire (HTZ001) in early June. Our overall success is allowing for a reduction in the number of on-scene firefighters, support staff and helicopters.

______________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVE WILDFIRES OF INTEREST

HTZ001 (Cameron Hills wildfire) is a mutual aid wildfire that originated in the border zone with the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) in 2023. The Alberta portion of this fire, south of the border, is now classified as BEING HELD, which means that the wildfire is not expected to grow past its current boundaries — based on the resources available and weather forecasts.  

On the Alberta side, this wildfire (HTZ001) is located near Indian Cabins, just south of the N.W.T. border. 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. This recent (2024) burn within the High Level Forest Area covers an estimated 30,526 hectares (ha). 

Fire suppression efforts along the border continue to be closely coordinated with the territorial government. Please see NWT Wildfire Update Map and the South Slave SS009-24 Update for more information on their activities and wildfire status in the N.W.T. area.

Protecting critical infrastructure along Highway 35, including utilities and Indian Cabins, remain as key objectives for the Cameron Hills fire (HTZ001). Given our success in managing this wildfire, along with favourable weather conditions in recent days, we are continuing to reduce the number of firefighters, support staff and aircraft at this incident — and will continue to do so over the next 48 hours. 

There are now 236 firefighters, and air and support staff, from both Alberta and the Northwest Territories assigned to this incident, which includes 121 Alberta firefighters on the frontlines. There are 29 pieces of heavy equipment on scene, along with seven helicopters that are transporting fire crews to locations along the perimeters where we are continuing our work to contain and control.

Airtankers and night-vision capabilities remain available, but are not expected to be required. 

Overall, the push to extinguish hotspots within 100 feet (or less) of dozer guard, including along the railway, and to contain the entire fire perimeter west of the Hay River and the perimeter east of the Hay River — while tying into natural barriers in the area — is close to being achieved.

There was little-to-no precipitation in the area (HTZ001) last night with no rain in the forecast today or over the next 72 hours. Today's forecast calls for a high of up to 15 C, with winds from the NW at 10 km/h and relative humidity dropping to 45 percent into Tuesday. Tuesday's high is expected to reach 18 C with a return to dryer and warmer weather over the next few days.

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. 

Sometimes firefighting duties can involve assisting in other ways: these firefighters, who were working on hot spots near the highway, were able to assist travellers who needed help changing a flat tire.

HWF021 is classified as UNDER CONTROL, estimated to be 378 ha in size and 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 monitored by firefighters for activity and actioned when needed.

CARRY OVER WILDFIRES | There are six 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.

FireSmart is more than a collection of best-practices, programs, resources, and tools. FireSmart is a way of living with and managing the risk of wildfire. It is a shared responsibility between government, community leaders, neighbourhoods, and residents. Together, we can build a wildfire resilient Alberta. A FireSmart Alberta.

Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow. Flames aren’t the only threat. An estimated 90% of homes damaged or destroyed by wildfire are ignited by embers.  By taking proactive FireSmart measures around your house and yard, you can increase your properties’ resistance to wildfire.

To learn more on how you can protect your home, visit FireSmart Alberta. For farm or acreages, you can download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.

WILDFIRE INFORMATION