Mackenzie County has issued an evacuation notice (alert) for Zama. For more info, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/N8v1mnqaSA55Qo1j/ or https://mackenziecounty.com/

PLEASE AVOID THE AREA AND DO NOT USE DRONES IN THE VICINITY OF ZAMA CITY 

See details on this fire (HWF-030), and fire suppression efforts, below under "Active Wildfires of Interest".

There is currently no fire advisory in the High Level Forest Area.

HWF030 is currently burning several kilometres SW of Zama City (June 22) — see details below 

 

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE SITUATION

Active Wildfires of Interest

HWF030 (new)

Alberta Wildfire personnel, aircraft and equipment operators are responding to this wildfire, which is currently out of control (OC)*, burning approximately 8.5 km southwest of Zama City. The area burned covers at least 2100 hectares (ha) at this time. The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.

The evacuation notice (alert) for Zama, issued by MacKenzie County, remains in effect. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/N8v1mnqaSA55Qo1j/ or https://mackenziecounty.com/

Last night, heavy equipment operators and 24 firefighters were supported by three helicopters equipped with night-vision imaging systems (NVIS), which use high-tech capabilities to monitor fire behavior and support operational planning. NVIS reported very active fire behaviour overnight.

There are currently 72 firefighters with air and heavy equipment groups on scene. This includes three air tanker groups, which are currently engaged on the fire. An incident management team, which will coordinate frontline operations and supporting resources, is now in the Zama area to manage this wildfire.

Crews are established on the south, east and SE flanks — and these perimeter flanks are expected to hold well throughout the day. Work continues on the dozer guard, which is currently providing about 30 percent containment, however, there are some challenges in areas with wet terrain. Fire and emergency management personnel from other jurisdictions have been briefed and are prepared to augment our efforts, if required, at reinforcing perimeter/fireguard areas around Zama.

The N-NE flank of the fire, which is closest to Zama, burned into a low-lying wet area that slowed its spread towards Zama City. The wildfire is now burning in a NW direction towards a large, wet area (the fire moved 0.5 km closer to Zama overnight; a total of 3.5 km closer since its ignition).

Structural protection crews have made good progress in Zama, with sprinkler systems expected to be operational this afternoon. 

With the arrival of an additional 20 firefighters, we expect to have 92 firefighters on scene Sunday morning, along with ongoing air and ground support. Firefighters. air support and heavy equipment operators will continue 24-7 operations in support of our efforts to contain and control this wildfire.

The high in the Zama area today is expected to reach 30 C, with a relative humidity dropping to 15 percent and winds from the SE at 15 km/h. Crossover conditions (meaning temperatures higher than relative humidity) will continue today, providing conditions conducive to burning. Sunday, the high is expected to reach 26 C, with a relative humidity of 35 percent and winds from the NE at 15-20 km/h. 

Winds are expected to shift between SE to NE directions this afternoon, which may trigger scattered afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms — with the potential of strong gusts up to 60 km/h with hail. Light showers are expected in Northern Alberta on Sunday, which may impact the Zama area. 

*OC - means the wildfire is burning and is expected to continue growing.

General Situation

There are currently seven fires burning in the High Level Forest Area — one is out of control (HWF030, see above) and six are classified as under control. Three of these wildfires are carry-over fires from the 2023 season. Additionally, there are two wildfires along borders: one shared with B.C. and one with the N.W.T. (HTZ001, see below).

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 42 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 2049 ha (these numbers do not include the two border fires noted above). 

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), effective June 10. This fire was referred to as HWF-030-2023 on the Alberta 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. 

CLASSIFICATIONS | Learn more about wildfire classifications.

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

---

Alberta Wildfire (Forestry and Parks) monitors all under control fires to locate and extinguish hot spots that may be found. Some of the remaining firefighters (above) assigned to the Cameron Hills wildfire (HTZ001), adjacent to the NWT border, work to extinguish hot spots in mid-June.

______________________________________________________________________________________

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.  This recent burn within the High Level Forest Area covers an estimated 30,526 hectares (ha). 

Given our success in managing this wildfire to date, the assigned Alberta Wildfire incident management team (IMT), which had been in place for about a month, has departed — leaving a reduced number of firefighters, support staff and aircraft on scene (along with some heavy equipment), as we continue to monitor this wildfire, extinguishing any hot spots found along the perimeters. 

The aim of protecting critical infrastructure along Highway 35, including utilities and Indian Cabins, remains, and we will continue to work closely with our industry partners and N.W.T. counterparts to contain and control this wildfire (HTZ001). 

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.

There remains the possibility of Highway 35 and surrounding roads being 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. 

A firefighter (above) works to extinguish a hot spot at the Cameron Hills wildfire (HTZ001) in June.

 

CARRY OVER WILDFIRES | There are three 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