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 (HWF030), 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 approximately 8.5 km SW of Zama City (June 23) — see details below 

 

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE SITUATION

Active Wildfires of Interest

HWF030 - Amber River Fire (near Zama)

Alberta Wildfire personnel, aircraft and equipment operators are continuing to respond to this wildfire, which is currently out of control (OC)*. The fire remains approximately 8.5 km southwest of Zama City and now covers at least 3,000 hectares (ha). 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/

Some strong, gusting winds rolled through the area yesterday (Saturday) evening, causing an increase in size on the NW and SW flanks — away from the Zama area (total growth towards the Zama community, since ignition, remains at 3.5 km). Overnight, good progress was made with the dozer guard on the north side. Crews and heavy equipment are continuing work on the north flank today to tie into the area by Shekelie Road. Last night, heavy equipment operators and firefighters were again supported by night-vision-equipped (NVIS) helicopters, which use high-tech capabilities to monitor fire behavior and support operational planning. 

There are currently 108 firefighting personnel on scene at this wildfire, along with three air tankers, 11 helicopters and heavy equipment operators that are actively engaged. The incident management team, which coordinates frontline operations and supporting resources, remains established in the Zama area.

Crews are established on the south, east and NE flanks — and these lines have held, although there was one small area on the east side where the fire pushed through, which we expect to recapture today. Work continues on the dozer guard, which is currently providing about 30 percent containment. Fire personnel from other jurisdictions have been briefed and are prepared to augment our efforts, if required, at reinforcing perimeter/fireguard areas around Zama.

Structural protection in key areas is installed and ready to go, should it be required.

Firefighters. air support and heavy equipment operators will continue 24-7 operations in support of our ongoing efforts to contain and control this wildfire.

The high in the Zama area today is expected to reach 25 C, with a relative humidity (RH) up to 70 percent and winds from the NE at 15-20 km/h — occasionally gusting up to 35 km/h. Monday, the high is expected to reach 22 C, with a RH of 25-30 percent and winds from the north at 20-25 km/h — gusting up to 40 km/h. 

While winds are expected to continue to shift, temperatures are down and RH is up, which should help limit fire growth. However, cross-over conditions — where RH is lower than temperatures, providing conditions conducive to burning — are expected to return by Tuesday. 

*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 3,549 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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WILDFIRE INFORMATION