High Level Area Update

If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473) to report it.

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

• Existing fire permits are valid but extension requests may not be granted. Permit holders must follow the safe burning conditions outlined on the fire permit; and
• New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis, for essential burning only.

Permitted:

• Safe wood campfires
• Backyard fire pits
• Portable propane fire pits
• Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
• Catalytic or infrared style heaters

Prohibited:

• Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited.

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

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION

The wildfire danger in the High Level Forest Area remains VERY HIGH. This means that high-intensity fire is expected and likely to spread to treetops. Fire is expected to start easily and to challenge suppression efforts.

There are currently 13 fires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Three are out of control, four are being held, four are classified as under control. Two 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. 

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 56 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 5,288 hectares (ha).

Visit our website to learn more about wildfire classifications.

You can view the location and statistics of these wildfires on our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | ACTIVE WILDFIRES OF INTEREST

WEATHER FORECAST | The wildfires in the forest area were active overnight as relative humidity remained low and temperatures stayed warm. Crossover conditions will persist into today. This means that the temperatures will be above the relative humidity, allowing for intense fire activity. Firefighters expect to see 29 C and low humidity of 30% with winds continuing out of the south at 10-15 km/h. Thunderstorms and precipitation are forecasted for today and into Tuesday, which should bring some relief.

HWF030 (Amber River - Near Zama) is currently BEING HELD which means that given current weather conditions and resources, this wildfire is not anticipated to grow past its expected boundaries. The wildfire is located approximately 8.5 km southwest of Zama City and estimated to be 3,200 hectares (ha). The wildfire remains under investigation.

There are 155 firefighters and support staff working on this wildfire, along with nine helicopters and heavy equipment operators. Airtankers remain available, if required. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are searching for and extinguishing hotspots.

Firefighters will continue our use of night-vision equipped (NVIS) helicopters overnight when available. They have the capacity to use infrared technology to monitor fire behavior and support operational planning with their assessments.  

Firefighters continue to search for and extinguish hotspots along the perimeter of the wildfire on HWF030 (June, 2024).

HWF044 is currently BEING HELD which means that given current weather conditions and resources, this wildfire is not anticipated to grow past its expected boundaries. The wildfire is located approximately 40 km north east of the Town of High Level (near Ponton) and estimated to be 107 ha. The wildfire does not pose a threat to any community at this time. The cause is under investigation.

Firefighters remain on scene, along with helicopters that are being used for bucketing as required, and to transport fire crews. Airtankers are available, if they are required. 

HWF047 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL approximately 40 km north-northeast of the town of High Level and 25 km east of Highway 35. The wildfire is now estimated to be 1,175 ha in size. The wildfire does not pose a threat to any community at this time and the cause is under investigation.

There are 37 firefighters, five helicopters along with heavy equipment associated with this wildfire. Additional firefighters are en-route. Airtankers are available to assist firefighters when possible. 

Firefighters observed active wildfire over night and expect to see intense fire behaviour throughout the day. The southern winds are forecasted to push the wildfire towards the north, away from communities.

Today, firefighters will continue to work on key areas of the wildfire to prevent the spread towards communities. Heavy equipment are being established to create containment lines alongside firefighters.

There was additional growth on HWF047 last night. Firefighters expect increased fire behaviour but some precipitation is expected in the coming days. (June 30, 2024)

HWF052 is now classified as BEING HELD approximately 40 km north northeast of the town of High Level and 25 km east of Highway 35. The wildfire is estimated to be 2.5 ha in size. The wildfire does not post a threat to any community at this time and the cause remains under investigation. Firefighters and helicopters are available to action this wildfire if needed.

HWF053 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL approximately 40 km north east of John D'or Prairie and 155 km east northeast of the Town of High Level. It's estimated to be 203 ha in size. There is no threat to any community at this time, the wildfire remains under investigation.

Airtankers made successful drops late last night to suppress fire activity during daylight hours. The night-vision helicopter took over and dropped water into the early morning hours. Firefighters are being deployed to this wildfire.   

HTZ001 (Cameron Hills) 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.

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 30,520 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.

This wildfire may cause highway closures, visit Alberta 511 or download the app for up-to-date information. 

FireSmart is a national program that helps Canadians increase their resilience to wildfire. Whether you are a homeowner, resident, business, local government, or Indigenous community, you can take small steps with lasting impacts.  

Homes and buildings ignite because of the materials, condition, and everything that surrounds them. The area within 30 m of the home is called the Home Ignition Zone. Within it are three priority areas, each requiring specific actions. Start by reducing your risk in the Immediate Zone and work your way outward.

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