A FIRE RESTRICTION IS IN EFFECT FOR THE HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA.
The forest area may experience heavy smoke at times over their communities. Contact AB 811 for wildfire and smoke related health concerns.
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.
LFB08 along with many other wildland firefighters are working hard to contain multiple wildfires in the forest area (July 5, 2024 on HWF047).
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 34 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, 13 are out of control, 12 are being held, and nine 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 103 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 21,887 hectares (ha).
You can view the location and statistics of these wildfires on our interactive map by following the active wildfire link. Visit our website to learn more about wildfire classifications.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | ACTIVE WILDFIRES OF INTEREST
WEATHER FORECAST Today, a max of 27C and 30% relative humidity is expected. Winds from the north-northwest 15 km/h may push some of the wildfires towards the south east. Very little precipitation is expected in the coming days along with hot temperatures and low relative humidity. This weather may create crossover conditions. This means that the temperatures will be higher then the relative humidity, which could allow for increased fire activity.
Tomorrow, similar weather conditions are expected with max of 28C and 25% relative humidity. Winds from the south-southwest 10-15km/h gusting 30km/h could push the wildfires back onto themselves, helping contain the fires.
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 currently pose a threat to any communities and its cause is under investigation.
There are 136 firefighters and support staff, along with 14 helicopters, associated to this wildfire. An incident management team remains in command of personnel and resources for this wildfire.
Firefighters continued their work along the east and west sides today, building containment lines on these perimeters. Helicopters continued to conduct bucketing operations to control flare-ups, especially on the east side of the wildfire, and will continue into the weekend. Airtankers are being used, as availability allows, to suppress and prevent future growth on the eastern flank. Firefighters and helicopters are continuing to make progress; however, anticipated weekend weather may present challenges.
HWF065 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to be 1,820 ha in size. The wildfire is located 50 km northwest from Zama City. This wildfire was determined to be caused by lightning.
HWF099 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to be 15 ha in size. The wildfire is located 18 km west of Footner Lake and 23 km northwest of High Level. There are four firefighters and one helicopter assigned to the wildfire. Very little fire activity was observed yesterday evening. Crews alongside heavy equipment were able to fully contain the wildfire with dozer guard and have started to work their way in searching for and extinguishing hotspots with pumps and hose.
HWF100 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL is now estimated to be 525 ha in size. The wildfire is located 21 km northeast of Rainbow Lake and 25 km west of Chateh. There are 25 firefighters and three helicopters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment actioning the wildfire today. Airtankers will be requested when they can be used effectively. There was some growth yesterday evening that broke out alongside the perimeter of wildfire which did not move the wildfire closer to communities. The fire activity has died down as of this morning.
Firefighters will continue to lay hose and contain the spread of the fire. Once the wet line is established, they'll work their way in searching for and extinguishing hotspots with pumps and hose. Heavy equipment worked over night and achieved good success on building dozer guard.
HWF102 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to be 879 ha in size. The wildfire is located 34 km southeast of Tall Cree South and 38 km east of Wadlin Lake. There is aircraft assessing this wildfire.
SEMO WILDFIRE COMPLEX | HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF082, HWF083
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 days.
Today, the weather forecast is calling for temperatures of 22C with a relative humidity of 35% with winds out of the northwest at 15 km/h with gusts reaching a potential 30 km/h.
HWF053 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL approximately 50 km northeast of John D'or Prairie, 36 km northwest of Garden River and 30 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 38 km northeast of Jon D'or, 30 km north of Fox Lake and 36 km northwest of Garden River. At this time the fire does not pose a threat to any community. The wildfire is now estimated to be 10,750 ha in size and caused by lightning. This wildfire is actively spreading east towards HWF053.
Yesterday, heavy equipment operators created safety zones south of the fire. Heavy equipment operators are going to travel towards the southwest side of the fire to gain better access. Helicopters will continue to bucket along the north side of the fire as they work to secure the west side and down towards the south. Firefighters will begin actioning the fire when safe zones are completed and are ready to access. Due to poor visibility airtankers will not be effective with fire fighting operations. Smoke cover on the east and south perimeters has lessened the fire behaviour.
HWF081 is burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to be 1,086 ha. There are safe access points for crews to action this wildfire and they will continue to work on the south and west perimeter. The fire is actively spreading southeast.
HWF082 is UNDER CONTROL at 1 ha. HWF083 is OUT OF CONTROL at 2,940 ha. All of these wildfires are within the Caribou Mountain Wildland P.P. and have been determined to be caused by lightning. These wildfires are located approximately 55 km north of John D'Or Prairie.
There are 87 firefighters and support staff, eight helicopters and 16 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the Semo Complex. Additional resources are on the way to support firefighting activities.
Firefighters awaiting helicopter support to pick-up equipment on HWF081 (July 6, 2024).
AMBER RIVER COMPLEX | HWF030, HWF072, HWF075, HWF076, HWF089, HWF101
HWF072 is burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to be 2,200 ha in size. This wildfire is approximately 60 km west of Zama City.
Overnight, growth to the southeast has been observed. Some of the firefighting personnel and resources from the Amber River Complex are being assigned to fire suppression efforts for this wildfire.
HWF030 is currently UNDER CONTROL. The wildfire is located approximately 8.5 km southwest of Zama City and estimated to be 3,200 ha. The wildfire remains under investigation.
There are currently 99 firefighters, six helicopters and heavy equipment operators assigned to the Amber River Complex.
To view these and other wildfires in the province, view our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
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 6)
The fire danger is high to very high in the northern parts of the province with the exception parts of the High Level area being extreme and moderate to low in Fort Chipewyan. It is mostly high elsewhere.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 618 wildfires burning a total of 63,128 ha.
Last year, on this date, there were 813 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,111,862 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 632 wildfires had burnt an average of 594,166 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.
ALBERTA HEALTH WILDFIRE RESOURCES | You can visit Alberta Health Services for information on how you or your loved ones can access resources related to wildfire impacts and smoke concerns.
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.
Vegetation management, broadly speaking, is the modification of wildland fuels (vegetation that can contribute to wildfire is known simply as ‘fuel’) for the purpose of mitigating the potential intensities and impact of wildfire. Intuitively vegetation management as a strategy for reducing wildfire hazard makes a lot of sense: wildfire requires fuel, in the form of vegetation, to burn; if we can change the fuel, we can change the wildfires behaviour. For suggestions on landscaping tips, you can view the FireSmart Guide to Landscaping.
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.
