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.

Firefighters working on the two wildfire complexes, and a number of other wildfires across the High Level Forest Area, are focused on establishing perimeter containment lines and extinguishing hot spots (July 7, 2024). 

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.

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION 

The wildfire danger in the High Level Forest Area is now EXTREME. This means that forest fuels are extremely dry and pose a very serious fire risk. Fast-spreading, high-intensity fires are likely, which are very difficult to control.

There are currently 39 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, 10 are out of control, 15 are being held, and 13 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 111 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 43,118 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, we expect a high of 31C and relative humidity (RH) of 25%, winds from the west at 15 km/h with no precipitation in the forecast. Crossover conditions, where temperatures exceed relative humidity, are possible over the next 24 hours.

Tomorrow, we expect a high of 35C and RH of 40% with winds from the SW at 15-20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h. Lightning is predicted, but no precipitation is in the forecast.

HWF100 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL is now estimated to be 581 ha in size. The wildfire is located 21 km northeast of Rainbow Lake and 25 km west of Chateh. There are 35 firefighters, six helicopters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment actioning the wildfire today.

Heavy equipment successfully built a dozer guard up to the river. Firefighters are now safely working along the guard, working their way into the burn searching for and extinguishing hotspots with pumps and hose. Dozers have tied into the river. Crews are now continuing to establish hose lay along the dozer line.

This wildfire did not significantly grow and does not pose a threat to any community at this time.

HWF102 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to be 1,052 ha in size. The wildfire is located 34 km southeast of Tall Cree South and 38 km east of Wadlin Lake. There are nine firefighters and one helicopter assigned to the wildfire. Increased fire activity was observed yesterday and firefighters are set to return today to continue their work.

HCX001 - SEMO WILDFIRE COMPLEX | HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, 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.

Expand (click) to view the full public map of the Semo wildfire complex.

Today, the weather forecast is calling for temperatures of 26C with a relative humidity of 40% with winds out of the northwest-northeast at 10-15 km/h.

HWF053 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL approximately 53 km northeast of John D'or Prairie, 37 km northwest of Garden River and 41 north of Fox Lake. It's estimated to be 510 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 39 km northeast of Jon D'or, 28 km north of Fox Lake and 32 km northwest of Garden River. The closest part of the wildfire is approximately 12 km to highway 58. The wildfire did not see significant growth to the south yesterday but more to the east. At this time the fire does not pose a threat to any community. The wildfire is now estimated to be 16,334 ha in size and caused by lightning.

Heavy equipment operators continue both day and night to the southwest side of the fire to gain better access. Operators built a larger safe zone yesterday due to the fire intensity that was observed in the afternoon. Night-vision helicopters were able to assist heavy equipment as they secured line overnight. Daytime 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. Airtankers will be used when they can be effective to aid in wildfire operations.

HWF081 is OUT OF CONTROL at 8,941 ha. There are safe access points for crews to action this wildfire and they will work the northwest edge of the perimeter to secure containment lines. This fire is challenging due to the high intensity of the fire, but crews are determined to gain ground, it will just take some time. Crews continue to burn off unburnt fuel to tie the fire into the streams and lakes in the area to create natural fire breaks whenever possible. Firefighters are being supported by helicopters that will bucket on any larger hotspots that are found.

HWF083 is OUT OF CONTROL at 13,104 ha continues to grow under dry conditions. Firefighters will continue to monitor this wildfire and provide support when needed.

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 50 km north of John D'Or Prairie.

There are 113 firefighters and support staff, eight helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the Semo Complex. Additional resources are on the way to support firefighting activities.

INFORMATION STATION

John D’or at the band office - Tuesday July 9 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Fox Lake at the band office - Wednesday July 10 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Garden River at the band office - Thursday July 11 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

HCX002 - AMBER RIVER COMPLEX | HWF030, HWF072, HWF075, HWF076, HWF089, HWF101

An incident management team is in command of the personnel and resources assigned to the Amber River Complex and its six wildfires. There are currently 110 firefighters and eight helicopters working on the wildfires within the Amber Complex.

HWF072 is burning OUT OF CONTROL and estimated to cover an area 2,435 ha in size. This wildfire, which is approximately 78 km northwest of Chateh and about 60 km west of Zama City, does not currently pose a threat to any communities and its cause is under investigation.

There are 87 firefighters and support staff assigned to this wildfire. Firefighters are constructing helipads to increase safe access to working areas and working along the perimeters to build containment lines. Airtankers are being used when available and as opportunities arise. These aerial fire suppression activities, and those of firefighters on the ground, are being augmented by eight pieces of heavy equipment. 

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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 remains under investigation.

To view these and other wildfires in the province, view our interactive map by following the active wildfire link. 

HTZ001 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.

Increased wildfire activity was observed yesterday and into today with the fire moving to the east overnight on the south perimeter, northeast of Bistcho Lake. Airtankers are working on lessening fire behaviour and firefighters are set to start work containing this fire today.

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. 

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