A FIRE RESTRICTION IS IN EFFECT FOR THE HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA.
The Forest Area is currently responding to multiple wildfires, the majority of them are caused by lightning from recent thunderstorms.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473) to report it.
A fire restriction is in place for the High Level and Fort McMurray Forest Areas.
Under this restriction:
- Existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed.
Prohibited on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas:
- All outdoor wood fires.
- Fires fueled exclusively by charcoal briquettes.
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets.
Allowed in designated campgrounds on private and public land, designated day use areas and on privately owned land:
- Safe wood campfires.
- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques.
- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances CSA approved or UL certified.
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.
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. Wildfire behavior will challenge suppression efforts today.
There are currently 32 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, ten are out of control, 15 are being held, five 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 93 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 9,370 hectares (ha).
Since July 1, 36 new wildfires have been detected in the High Level Forest Area. The hard work and dedication of firefighters, aircraft personnel and heavy equipment operators were able to successfully extinguish 15, turn 15 to being held and two to under control. 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 | Today, a max of 28C and 30% relative humidity with winds from the west 15-20 km/h gusting to 35 are forecasted. The forecasted weather may create crossover conditions. This means that the temperatures will be higher then the relative humidity, which could allow for increased fire activity. Very little precipitation is expected in the coming days along with hot temperatures and low relative humidity.
Tomorrow, similar weather conditions are expected with max of temps of 29C and 35% relative humidity. Winds from the southwest 15 km/h gusting to 30km/h.
HWF044 is currently OUT OF CONTROL. The wildfire is located approximately 48 km northeast of the town of High Level and estimated to be 275 ha. The wildfire does not pose a threat to any communities at this time. The cause is under investigation. There are 50 firefighters and five helicopters associated to this wildfire. Firefighters assisted by helicopters continue to build containment lines on the north side of the wildfire.
HWF047 (Melvin River) 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 1,375 ha in size. The wildfire does not pose a threat to any communities at this time and the cause is under investigation.
There are 157 firefighters and support staff, 13 helicopters along with heavy equipment associated to this wildfire. An incident management team is in command of this wildfire.
Very little fire activity was observed in the past few days, allowing firefighters and helicopters to make good progress on containing the wildfire. Firefighters have worked up the east and west side of the wildfire and are now established on the north side where they're being supported by helicopters with water buckets.
HWF065 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to be 25 ha in size. The wildfire is located 56 km northwest from Zama City. This wildfire was determined to be caused by lightning. The wildfire is showing moderate fire behaviour and currently being assessed.
A helicopter is bucketing on hotspots along the edge of HWF047. Very little wildfire activity has been seen on this week on this wildfire (July 3, 2024).
SEMO WILDFIRE COMPLEX | HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF082, HWF083, HWF084
The Semo Wildfire Complex is located north of John D'Or Prairie, Garden River and Fox Lake. It includes the Caribou Mountains P.P, between the Ponton and the Wentzel River. This wildfire is currently being overseen by an incident management team. Additional resources have been requested and will be arriving in the coming day.
HWF053 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL approximately 50 km northeast of John D'or Prairie, 38 km northwest of Garden River and 40 north of Fox Lake. It's estimated to be 525 ha in size. There is no threat to any communities at this time, the wildfire remains under investigation.
HWF061 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL 40 km northeast of Jon D'or, 32 km north of Fox Lake and 42 km northwest of Garden River. The fire does not pose a threat to any community at this time. The wildfire is now estimated to be 2,680 ha in size and caused by lightning. This wildfire is actively spreading east towards HWF053. Heavy equipment operators are establishing safe zones for firefighters to access along the south perimeter. Helicopters are bucketing in priority areas on the fire. Firefighters will begin actioning the fire when safe zones are completed and are ready to access. Airtankers are available when they can effectively operate on the wildfire.
HWF081, HWF082, HWF083, HWF084 are currently burning OUT OF CONTROL within the Caribou Mountain Wildland P.P and estimated to be 23 ha, 1 ha, 360 ha and 84 ha respectively. The wildfires are determined to be caused by lightning. These wildfires are located approximately 60 km north of John D'Or Prairie.
There are 59 firefighters, six helicopters and heavy equipment assigned to the Semo Complex. Additional resources are on the way to support firefighting activities. An incident management team arrived in High Level and has begun taking over operations to relieve the forest area staff, allowing them to focus on new wildfire starts.
To view these and other wildfires in the province, view our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
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 107 firefighters and support staff working on this wildfire, along with eight helicopters and heavy equipment operators. Airtankers remain available, if required. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment are searching for and extinguishing hotspots.
Firefighters will continue to use 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.
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.
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.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SITUATION (as of 10 a.m., July 4)
The fire danger is mainly very high for the northern parts of the province with pockets of extreme. It is low in the Rockies and mainly low to moderate in the agricultural zone.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 593 wildfires burning a total of 36,641 ha.
Last year, on this date, there was 794 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,111,611 ha. In the past 5 years on this date, an average of 620 wildfires had burnt an average of 594,088 ha.
DANGEROUS TREES | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from deep ash pits, burning peat and falling trees or branches, especially if windy.
SMOKE | Lingering smoke may still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and poor air quality. Please use extra caution when driving in smoky conditions. To see forecasted smoke, please visit FireSmoke.ca. If you have smoke related health concerns, please visit or contact Alberta 811.
DRONES | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada.
FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED
All burning within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta requires a burn permit, with the exception of a campfire. At this time, the High Level Forest Area is issuing burn permits on a case-by-case basis.
High Level Forest Area | Permit Line: 780-926-5407. Stay informed of fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Firebans.
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
- Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device. Available for Apple and Android.
- Before heading out, check the fire bans website or download the app to determine if there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.
- Subscribe to the High Level Forest Area Update to receive an email when new information is posted. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
- Missed an issue of the High Level Forest area Wildfire Update? You can find previous updates on our website.
- For evacuation orders and alerts in the Province visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.
- For road closure information, visit Alberta 511 or download the app.
- For smoke forecasts and locations tools, visit the Fire Smoke website.
- To see all the wildfires burning in Alberta click here.
- Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire with some tips and tricks on wildfire preparedness.
